Could the Broncos Withstand a Jonathan Cooper Suspension in 2026?

The Denver Broncos have quietly built one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses over the past two seasons.

Much of the attention has rightfully gone to 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and two-time Pro Bowler Nik Bonitto. But one of the biggest reasons Denver’s defense has become a legitimate force is the presence of outside linebacker Jonathan Cooper.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, Cooper is currently facing a legal matter that could eventually have ramifications beyond the courtroom.

As the legal process continues to play out, questions have naturally emerged regarding whether the NFL could impose discipline. No suspension has been announced, and it remains impossible to predict what action the league may ultimately take.

Still, the possibility raises an important question:

What would a Jonathan Cooper suspension mean for Denver?

Cooper Is More Important Than Many Fans Realize

While Bonitto has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers, Cooper has quietly established himself as the perfect complement on the opposite side.

Over the past two seasons, Bonitto has recorded 27.5 sacks while Cooper has added 18.5 of his own. Together, they have formed arguably one of the NFL’s most productive pass-rushing tandems over the past two seasons.

Those numbers are impressive on their own, but Cooper’s value extends well beyond his sack production.

Opposing offenses can devote extra attention to slowing down one elite pass rusher. Stopping two is a much more difficult challenge.

As long as Cooper is on the field, offenses must account for threats coming from both edges. Slide too much protection toward Bonitto, and Cooper is capable of making teams pay. Focus too heavily on Cooper, and Bonitto becomes even more dangerous.

The Broncos would not simply be losing 18.5 sacks worth of production if Cooper were unavailable.

They would be losing the player who helps prevent opponents from selling out to stop Bonitto.

That distinction matters.

Replacing Cooper’s raw production is difficult enough. Replacing the impact he has on how opposing offenses build their protection plans is an entirely different challenge.

Denver does have young talent behind Cooper, but expecting any one player to replicate his impact would be unrealistic.

Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, and Que Robinson all offer intriguing upside, yet none have demonstrated they can consistently produce at Cooper’s level over a full season.

The situation becomes even more complicated when considering the Broncos’ plans for Elliss. Earlier this offseason, Sean Payton indicated Denver intended to give Elliss significant work at inside linebacker after he spent much of 2025 on the edge. A potential Cooper suspension could force the Broncos to reconsider those plans and move Elliss back into a larger outside linebacker role.

While Denver possesses more depth than most teams at the position, replacing Cooper would likely require a collective effort rather than a one-for-one solution.

The NFL Has Broad Authority Under the Personal Conduct Policy

At this stage, it would be irresponsible to speculate about what discipline, if any, Cooper may face.

However, history shows the NFL possesses significant discretion when it comes to player conduct matters.

One of the most notable examples came in 2017 when former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott received a six-game suspension despite never being criminally charged. The league conducted its own investigation and ultimately determined discipline was warranted under the Personal Conduct Policy.

That does not mean Cooper’s situation will follow the same path.

Every case is different, and the NFL evaluates each situation independently.

Still, Elliott’s case serves as a reminder that league discipline is not always tied directly to the outcome of criminal proceedings.

For the Broncos, that uncertainty creates a difficult situation as they prepare for training camp and the regular season.

Could a Familiar Face Return to Denver?

If the Broncos conclude their internal options are insufficient, Denver could eventually look outside the organization for help.

In that scenario, one name would immediately capture the attention of Broncos Country.

Von Miller.

The franchise icon has made no secret of his desire to eventually return to Denver. Miller has repeatedly expressed interest in finishing his career where it began, and showed he may still have something left in the tank after recording nine sacks with the Washington Commanders in 2025.

A few months ago, a Miller reunion felt more like a sentimental storyline than a football necessity.

A potential Cooper suspension could change that equation.

If the Broncos lose Cooper, finding another player capable of preventing offenses from focusing exclusively on Bonitto becomes the challenge. That is where Miller could enter the conversation.

Even at this stage of his career, Miller remains a respected pass rusher with a proven ability to affect quarterbacks. More importantly, he would give opposing offenses another edge defender they would need to account for.

Whether Denver would seriously pursue such a move remains unknown, but a Cooper absence would at least make the conversation worth having.

A Super Bowl Contender Can Only Afford So Much Attrition

The Broncos enter the 2026 season with one of the deepest rosters in football and legitimate championship expectations.

Teams with those aspirations can survive injuries and adversity. Every contender eventually has to.

But losing Jonathan Cooper would be more significant than losing just another starter.

It would mean losing one half of one of the NFL’s most productive pass-rushing tandems.

Denver’s defense has become dominant because opposing offenses cannot focus their attention on any one player. Surtain locks down one side of the field. Bonitto and Cooper attack from both edges. All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen continues to create disruption along the interior.

Take away one of those foundational pieces, and opposing offenses suddenly gain far more flexibility in how they attack the Broncos.

For now, Denver can only wait as both the legal and NFL processes continue to unfold.

But if Cooper is ultimately forced to miss time, the Broncos may discover that replacing his production is far easier than replacing his impact on the defense itself.