Tag: jonathon cooper

2 Broncos among highest performance-based pay earners

Broncos G Quinn Meinerz ($747,505) and OLB Jonathon Cooper ($940,000) received some of the largest performance-based pay bonuses in the NFL.

Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper were among the top 25 earners in 2023 as part of the NFL’s performance-based pay program.

“The Performance-Based Pay program is a collectively bargained benefit that compensates all players based upon their playing time and salary levels,” according to the NFL. Put simply, the program rewards players on low salaries who play significant snaps.

Meinerz and Cooper are still on team-friendly rookie contracts and they both started all 17 games last season. Meinerz received $747,505 in performance-based pay, a nice increase from his $1,095,078 salary last season.

Cooper received $738,916 in performance-based pay, which is not far away from his $940,000 base salary in 2023. The two players were rewarded for essentially outperforming their contracts.

Meinerz and Cooper weren’t the only Broncos players who received performance-based pay for the 2023 season.

The following players also got a boost to their salaries, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis: cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian ($625,000), cornerback Fabian Moreau ($526,000), defensive lineman Jonathan Harris ($485,000), safety Delarrin Turner-Yell ($387,000), cornerback Damarri Mathis ($376,000), tight end Adam Trautman ($368,000), center Lloyd Cushenberry ($357,000), linebacker Drew Sanders ($356), safety P.J. Locke Locke ($343,000), wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey ($342,000) and fullback Mike Burton ($339,000) also received performance-based bonuses.

View the full list of Denver’s bonuses on 9News.

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Available free agent pass rushers for the Broncos in 2024

The Broncos need more from their pass rush in 2024. Here are some edge defenders they could target during free agency.

The Denver Broncos need to get more from their pass rush in 2024. Jonathon Cooper led the team with 8.5 sacks last season, followed by Nik Bonitto (8.0 sacks). Those are fine numbers for rotational players, but Denver needs an elite edge defender.

Baron Browning has the potential to emerge as a top pass rusher in 2024, but injuries have prevented him from having a breakout season thus far. The Broncos will likely look to add reinforcements to the outside linebacker room this spring, so we’ve put together a quick list of 16 pass rushers the team could consider during NFL free agency next week.

Broncos’ sack leaders from 2023 season

Jonathon Cooper (8.5) led the Broncos in sacks in 2023, followed by Nik Bonitto (8.0) and Zach Allen (5.0).

The days of Von Miller recording double-digit sacks seem like a distant memory for Denver Broncos fans.

The Broncos are going to need more from their pass rush in 2024 after an underwhelming campaign from Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto last fall.

In terms of sacks, Denver’s third-best pass rusher this season was Zach Allen, an interior defensive lineman who recorded five sacks in 2023. That’s a good total for a defensive tackle, but the fact that the Broncos did not have a third edge defender with five or more sacks is alarming.

Consequently, bringing in a top pass rusher should be a priority for Denver this offseason. Before free agency and the draft arrive, here’s a quick look back at the Broncos’ leaders in sacks from the 2023 season.

Broncos need more from their pass rush in 2024

The Broncos did not have any players with double-digit sacks in 2024 and the defense ranked 22nd out of 32 teams with 42 total sacks.

The Denver Broncos totaled 42 sacks in 2023, tied for the 11th-lowest total in the NFL, and the worst total in the AFC West. Elsewhere in the division, the Las Vegas Raiders (46 sacks), Los Angeles Chargers (48 sacks) and Kansas City Chiefs (57 sacks) got more production from their pass rushers.

The Broncos will need more from their edge defenders in 2024. Part of the problem in 2023 was leaning on Randy Gregory and Frank Clark early in the year. Both players were off the team by mid-season.

Another hindrance was Baron Browning’s meniscus tear that sidelined him for the first six games of the campaign. After he returned from that injury, Browning had modest production, totaling 4.5 sacks in 10 games.

Jonathon Cooper (8.5 sacks) and Nik Bonitto (8.0 sacks) were the team’s most productive pass rushers in 2023, but both of them might be better suited for a rotational rusher role instead of a regular starting gig.

If Browning is able to reach his potential in 2024, Denver could pair him with a high-profile pass rusher. Cooper and Bonitto would be excellent rotation options in such a scenario. If Browning never turns into the kind of pass rusher the Broncos hope he can be, Denver will eventually need two starting-caliber edge defenders.

The Broncos are set to select 12th overall in the 2024 NFL draft and that might be an ideal place to land a top pass rusher. Recent mock drafts have Denver landing Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse and Chop Robinson at that spot. Whether it’s one of those options or another prospect, the Broncos would be wise to bring in a high-profile pass rusher in 2024.

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Josey Jewell won’t use finger guns celebration in 2024 after fines from NFL

After inconsistent rulings from the NFL in 2023, Broncos LB Josey Jewell will retire his finger guns celebration.

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell — nicknamed “The Outlaw” — plans to retire his finger guns celebration after being fined by the NFL for using it during the 2023 season.

Jewell was originally fined $13,659 for “unsportsmanlike conduct” (the celebration) against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. Jewell pointed his finger guns up in the air like a cowboy, but the league does not permit “any act resembling shooting a gun.”

Jewell appealed that fine and the NFL rescinded it.

Jewell then assumed he was in the clear, and he used the celebration again against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. That assumption was wrong.

The league fined Jewell $13,659 for his second “offense.” The linebacker appealed again, but his fine was only reduced by 20% to $10,928.

“He’ll have to retire it because we like our money,’’ Jewell’s agent, Jack Bechta, told The Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson last week. “We’re just disappointed with the inconsistency from the league.”

So, unless there’s another twist in the saga, we’ve seen the last of Jewell’s signature celebration.

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Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper within reach of 10-sack season

The Broncos haven’t had a pass rusher post double-digit sacks in a season since 2018. Jonathon Cooper has one game left to change that.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper has recorded a sack in three straight games and he now leads the team with 8.5 sacks in 2023.

With 1.5 more sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Cooper would become the team’s first pass rusher to record 10 sacks since 2018.

“I feel like with my teammates and coaches believing in me and the type of player that I am — I feel like my goal for this season was eight or ten,” Cooper said. “I’m trying to get to double digits, trying to get to that ten mark. I’m going to keep rocking. Keep going. I’m really happy for myself but I’m more happy with these wins that we’re getting. Any way I can help the team win is what I’m trying to do.”

The Broncos’ most recent pass rushers to finish a season with double-digit sacks were Elvis Dumervil (2007, 2009, 2012), Von Miller (2011-12; 2014-18), Shaun Phillips (2013) DeMarcus Ware (2014) and Bradley Chubb (2018). That’s impressive company that Cooper hopes to join.

Fellow pass rusher Nik Bonitto is three sacks away from reaching 10. Both have a shot at double digits, but Cooper’s chances are higher.

“He’s playing well, and it’s really important to him,” coach Sean Payton said of Cooper’s quest for ten sacks.

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell has been sacked 22 times this season in nine starts, an average of 2.44 sacks per contest. Cooper will aim to add to that total on Sunday.

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NFL changes stance on finger guns, fines Josey Jewell and Jonathon Cooper again

The NFL fined Josey Jewell for his finger guns celebration. He appealed and the fine was lifted. He then did it again and was fined again.

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell and defensive lineman Zach Allen were both fined $13,659 for using finger guns as a celebration against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.

Jewell is nicknamed “The Outlaw” and he does not point his finger guns at opposing players, so it wasn’t surprising when he successfully appealed the fine and had it lifted. After the NFL rescinded the fine, Jewell assumed that meant he could continue using the celebration.

“The fine got taken away and I’m assuming — they didn’t say like, ‘Hey, it’s a warning,’ they said, ‘Hey you’re good to go, the fine got taken away,'” Jewell said during an interview with DNVR Broncos last week. “So I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going to let ’em go now.’ So we should be good.”

Jewell’s assumption was wrong.

The linebacker was fined $13,659 by the NFL for using finger guns in celebrations against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Teammate Jonathon Cooper was also fined $5,362 for joining in on the celebration.

This is the play in question:

It’s curious that the NFL would lift Jewell’s fine and then punish him again for something the league seemingly signed off on. Jewell will undoubtedly appeal this latest fine as well. Perhaps the NFL can provide some clarity this time on if the celebration is or is not allowed.

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Broncos keep playoff hopes alive with 24-7 win over Chargers

Following a 24-7 win over the Chargers, the Broncos are 7-6 and still alive in the playoff hunt!

The Denver Broncos (7-6) kept their playoff hopes alive with a 24-7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) on the road in Week 14.

Following a Chargers punt on the opening drive of the game, a Russell Wilson pass to wide receiver Marvin Mims was intercepted by Los Angeles defensive back Michael Davis at Denver’s 13-yard line.

The Chargers failed to capitalize on that short field position as they went on to fail to convert a 4th-and-3 at the Broncos’ 6-yard line. After getting the ball back deep in their own territory, Denver punted.

On L.A.’s ensuing drive, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a pass tipped by pass rusher Baron Browning and then intercepted by Jonathon Cooper, who returned it four yards to the 3-yard line. Broncos running back Javonte Williams punched it in on the next play to take a 7-0 lead.

Los Angeles later faced a 4th-and-2 within field goal range in the second quarter and the Chargers failed to convert again, giving Denver the ball back at its own 30-yard line with 3:11 remaining in the first half. The Broncos then went three-and-out.

Los Angeles replaced an injured Herbert (finger) with backup quarterback Easton Stick on their final drive before halftime. Stick promptly went three-and-out and Denver then drove 65 yards before settling for a 23-yard Wil Lutz field goal to take a 10-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Chargers went for it on 4th-and-1 at the Broncos’ 40-yard line and failed to convert, marking their third turnover on downs of the game. Four players later, Wilson threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton to extend the lead to 17-0.

In the fourth quarter, Los Angeles finally converted a fourth-down attempt, only to turn the ball over on downs later that drive. The Chargers finished the game 0-of-12 on third down and 1-of-6 on fourth down.

After a Denver punt, Los Angeles running back Austin Ekeler scored on a three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to make it 17-7. The Broncos matched that score when Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman to make it 24-7. That ended up being the final score.

On the injury front, Denver outside linebackers Nik Bonitto (knee) left in the first quarter, but that did not slow down the pass rush — the Broncos’ defense finished the game with six sacks and a forced fumble. Denver guard Quinn Meinerz (illness) was also ruled out at halftime.

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Detroit Lions (9-4).

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WATCH: Jonathon Cooper interception sets up Javonte Williams TD

Following Jonathon Cooper’s interception, Javonte Williams scores on the ground to give the Broncos a 7-0 lead over the Chargers!

After a Baron Browning interception set the Denver Broncos up with good field position, running back Javonte Williams scored on a three-yard touchdown run to give his team a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Here’s video of the touchdown run, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page:

And here’s video of the turnover that set up the score:

Denver now leads 7-0 at the time of publication.

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Vikings Game: Live updates from Vikings at Broncos in Week 11

Follow along for live updates throughout Sunday night football as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Denver Broncos.

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.

Throughout the game, we will be breaking down the big moments on each drive, keeping you updated throughout if you can’t watch the game live.

Follow along all night as the Vikings look to extend their winning streak to six games.