Overview
- Cooper faces a felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation plus misdemeanor third-degree assault, criminal mischief and additional misdemeanor charges after a second arrest on June 12.
- He was first booked after an incident at his Parker, Colorado, home on June 4 and has pleaded not guilty; a motions hearing is set for July 6 and a jury trial begins July 22.
- The criminal record and arrest reports show sharply conflicting accounts of the June 4 confrontation, with the alleged victim describing strangulation and being thrown and at least one officer noting inconsistent statements and limited visible injuries.
- The Broncos say they are reviewing the matter, coach Sean Payton met privately with Cooper, and the NFL is monitoring the case under its personal-conduct policy.
- Cooper’s four-year extension through 2028 complicates decisions for the team because the league can impose a baseline six-game suspension under its policy and roster moves would carry meaningful dead-cap costs.