Mile High Report
After trading away Baron Browning, the Broncos have re-signed Jonathon Cooper to a long-term extension.
According to ESPN’s lead NFL inside Adam Schefter, the Denver Broncos have re-signed edge rusher Jonathon Cooper to a four-year deal worth up to $60 million dollars while giving him $33 million in guaranteed money.
Earlier this afternoon, it was announced that the Broncos had traded away edge rusher Baron Browning for a 6th-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals. One reason he was available was that the Broncos were working on a long-term extension for pass rusher Jonathon Cooper.
The former 7th-round selection has emerged as one of the Broncos' better players on defense and has earned this extension from the team. Cooper has played a total of 56 games for the Broncos which includes 40 career starts. In those 56 games, Cooper has totaled 193 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 18.5 sacks, 38 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. Through 9 games this season, Cooper has totaled 5.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, and 6 tackles for a loss.
While Cooper has not been a double-digit sack guy throughout his career, he is a difference-maker on the Broncos defense. He is their best run defender on the edge while also adding the ability to get after the passer. Extending him now helps keep a key defender on an improving defense and team for the foreseeable future.
Both he and Browning were pending free agents this offseason and in the end, the Broncos chose Cooper over Browning. Based on their careers it was the right decision and they were able to get something for Browning instead of just letting him walk via free agency.
At the end of the day, this was a move the Broncos needed to make. They locked up cornerback Pat Surtain II earlier this season and now have locked up another key defender. It has been awhile since the Broncos have had players worth keeping for a second contract so it is nice to see them keep their own players and build around them.
