Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper Pleads Not Guilty To Domestic Violence Charges
Last week, Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper was arrested on two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief. His first court appearance took place today.
Copper has entered a not guilty plea on all charges, as noted by 9News’ Mike Klis. A motion hearing in this case has now been scheduled for July 6. Cooper’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, requested a trial date as soon as possible, Klis adds. A trial hearing is set to take place on July 22 in Douglas County Court. Steinberg said (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post) no motion to dismiss the case is being planned.
The scheduled trial date falls just before the start of the Broncos’ training camp. By the time padded practices begin, the team will hope to have further clarity on Cooper’s situation (although any potential league discipline will not be issued until an NFL investigation takes place; that process will not begin before the legal proceedings conclude). The 28-year-old was arrested following an alleged incident involving his girlfriend, who was also taken into custody. Cooper was released on a personal recognizance bond Friday.
Since being drafted by the Broncos in 2021, Cooper has established himself as an effective contributor off the edge. The former seventh-rounder played on a rotational basis during his first two years in Denver but has served as a full-time starter ever since. Cooper has amassed 27 sacks since 2023, something which helped him secure a $60MM extension the following season.
As a result of that deal, Cooper is under contract through 2028. He declined comment upon leaving the courthouse on Monday. The Broncos issued a statement indicating they were “gathering more information” on the matter shortly after Cooper’s arrest.
Teams Remain Interested In Acquiring Raiders DE Maxx Crosby
JUNE 8: Multiple general managers who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora pointed to the 49ers as a team they feel is “primed” to make a notable pass rush trade late in the offseason. Whether or not efforts on that front include a Crosby pursuit remains to be seen, but San Francisco could be a team to watch regarding a high-profile acquisition along the edge.
JUNE 7: While the Cowboys and Patriots were originally floated as teams that could re-enter the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes after the Ravens nixed the deal that would have brought the star pass rusher to Baltimore, more recent reporting has indicated Crosby will remain with the Raiders in 2026. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (mostly) shut the door on a Dallas pursuit – which makes sense, as it was Dallas’ team doctor’s evaluation of Crosby’s knee that gave the Ravens pause – and New England has now surrendered considerable draft capital to acquire wide receiver A.J. Brown.
However, Vincent Bonsignore of the New York Post says other clubs continue to have genuine interest in a Crosby trade. In an opinion piece suggesting the 49ers should swing a deal for Crosby to counter the NFC West rival Rams’ seismic acquisition of Myles Garrett, Bonsignore says the Raiders would still move the Eastern Michigan product for the right price.
If San Francisco were to take Bonsignore’s advice and make a Crosby-sized splash, multiple league sources say it would cost a 2027 first-rounder, a 2028 second-rounder, and defensive end Mykel Williams. That is not quite the package the Browns landed for Garrett, but it’s close, and it confirms the Raiders do not currently plan to discount their asking price despite the failed trade with the Ravens.
The fact that teams remain interested in adding Crosby is understandable given his track record of on-field excellence. But since one club has already canceled a trade for him due to health concerns, a summertime blockbuster featuring a Garrett-like haul would be a bit more surprising.
Just yesterday, we heard the soon-to-be 29-year-old is nearing a return to practice following offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. So although Baltimore was worried about Crosby’s long-term prognosis rather than his short-term availability, perhaps full medical clearance and training camp participation will convince other teams to engage the Raiders in trade discussions.
On the other hand, a late March report noted any Crosby swap in 2026 would be more likely to take place closer to the trade deadline, and speculatively, that could still be the case. At that time, Crosby will have had the opportunity to exhibit his knee’s health in regular season competition, and the Raiders should have a better idea of their timeline for a return to playoff contention.
Crosby earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl nod in 2025. During that five-year stretch, he has amassed 52.5 sacks and has twice led the league in tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus routinely assigns him run defense scores that are at least as strong as his pass rushing grades.
Falcons Discussing Extension With RB Bijan Robinson
The post-draft period of the offseason was understandably viewed by Atlanta as the time to work out extensions with Drake London and Bijan Robinson. One of those has already been taken care of, and the other could be in place relatively soon.
The Falcons have engaged in talks on an extension with Robinson, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports. London found himself first on the list with respect to a big-ticket second contract being worked out. Instead of seeing out his fifth-year option season in 2026, London will begin playing on a four-year extension worth up to $150MM this fall.
To no surprise, Atlanta picked up Robinson’s option for 2027 earlier this offseason. There is less urgency from the team’s perspective to finalize an extension as a result, although it would come as no surprise if both sides moved quickly. Robinson has emerged as one of the league’s top running backs during his first three years in the NFL. The former No. 8 pick’s 1,003 touches so far in his career illustrate his importance to the Falcons’ offense, and a heavy workload can be expected moving forward.
A report from April pointed to Robinson moving into at least the top three with respect to annual compensation among running backs. De’Von Achane landed in the No. 3 spot with his recent Dolphins extension by securing $16MM in average annual value. Saquon Barkley (Eagles) leads the way at $20.6MM per year, with Christian McCaffrey (49ers)close behind at $19MM. A second Robinson contract could surpass those figures, although the same may also be true of Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs. Some view the other RB taken in the first round of the 2023 draft as a candidate to land a more lucrative deal than Robinson.
The waiting game (if one truly ensues this summer) between Gibbs and Robinson will be worth watching closely, but in any case both backs figure to secure substantial raises in the near future. Atlanta’s offense will continue to include London as a focal point for years to come, but tight end Kyle Pitts – who received the franchise tag this spring – faces an uncertain future beyond 2026. At the quarterback spot, Michael Penix Jr. (who remains attached to his rookie contract) and free agent addition Tua Tagovailoa (who signed for the veteran minimum) represent a low-cost tandem.
Those factors, along with Robinson’s age (24) and production (5,648 scrimmage yards, 34 total touchdowns) should result in a big-money agreement being reached. It will be interesting to see if negotiations progress over the near future and a deal can be struck in time for training camp or at least Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Browns HC Todd Monken Not Interested In QB Brendan Sorsby; Latest On Team’s QB Competition
Browns head coach Todd Monken is not tipping his hand when it comes to his team’s starting quarterback competition. While the media currently views Deshaun Watson as the favorite to open the season under center, second-year passer Shedeur Sanders remains in the mix and has impressed Monken with his progress in the mental side of the game.
Following the Browns’ eighth OTA session on Wednesday, Monken said (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com), “[e]very day I kind of lean one way or the other with quarterbacks. But we’ve still got to get to that point. Who’s going to start for us? But I’m fired up by the quarterbacks. I just tell you, we’ve got two starting-level quarterbacks. We really do.”
Monken’s public remarks notwithstanding, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continues to believe Watson has the inside track on the QB1 gig (video link). In addition to the advantage Watson has in terms of experience, Watson himself believes Monken’s offense – which includes some Air Raid concepts and offers the freedom to improvise out of the pocket – is a strong fit for his skill set. That said, Fowler says Sanders has flashed this spring and that Watson has not won the job just yet.
Regardless of the outcome of the Watson v. Sanders contest, Cleveland may still be in search of a high-end quarterback next year (which is presumably one of the reasons why the team recently cashed in their top asset in Myles Garrett for a bounty of draft capital). On paper, therefore, the Browns profile as a team that could take a flier on Brendan Sorsby, whose gambling infractions have led the NCAA to revoke his collegiate eligibility and who could be forced into the NFL’s supplemental draft as a result.
Monken, however, seems to want no part of Sorsby, although he made it clear his opinion in that regard is his own and not that of general manager Andrew Berry or other members of team brass.
“That’s not even come across my desk,” Monken said (video link via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan). “I like the quarterbacks that we have. I think that’s a slippery slope, when you go down that [road]. Irrespective of talent, in terms of the situation [Sorsby’s] put himself in, we all know what that is. He put himself in that situation. And we’ve seen in other sports with players that have been banned for life from playing in professional sports.”
“Again, that’s a question for [Berry] and for management,” Monken added. “But from my end of it, kind of a tough angle to go down that road and think that’s going to be your franchise quarterback, if he’s ever eligible to even play in the NFL.”
Berry himself was non-committal. When asked about the prospect of adding Sorsby, the GM simply said, “we’ll do work on all the prospects and then make the appropriate decision” (via Zac Jackson of The Athletic).
Sorsby impressed in his second year as Cincinnati’s starter in 2025 and landed a $6MM NIL deal to join Texas Tech in 2026. A successful year in Lubbock could have earned him a first-round grade in the 2027 draft, but at the moment, it appears the supplemental draft is his only viable path to the pros.
Sorsby will have to apply for the supplemental draft by June 22. The NFL will review his situation – extensive sports betting during his college career and subsequent treatment for a gambling addiction – and decide if he can enter.
Charges Against Falcons WR Zachariah Branch Dropped; Latest On James Pearce Jr.’s Pretrial Program
The State of Georgia has dropped the misdemeanor charges that were pending against Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch, per Seth Emerson of The Athletic (subscription required). Branch had been facing the charge of misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer and had received a citation for obstructing private sidewalks
The details of the incident suggested it would have little to no impact on Branch’s professional prospects. The Falcons selected the USC and Georgia product in the third round of the draft less than a week after his arrest, and as Emerson notes, The Athletic draftnik Dane Brugler considered Branch a third-round talent anyway (subscription required).
“After reviewing all evidence, including videos, and discussing the case with us, the State agreed to dismiss all charges against Mr. Branch,” Kim Stephens, Branch’s lawyer, said. “Zachariah cooperated fully with law enforcement and did not commit a crime on the night of his arrest and never should have been arrested. We are glad this matter is over and that Mr. Branch’s excellent reputation and good name restored.”
While the NFL can of course impose punishment even in the absence of criminal charges, that would seem unlikely in this case. Instead, Branch can probably focus exclusively on carving out a spot in a receiving corps that would seem to offer plenty of opportunities behind the newly-extended Drake London.
Branch’s height (5-9) makes him an obvious candidate for slot work. While he offers plenty of speed and led the SEC with 81 receptions in 2025, Brugler observes that Branch’s average depth of target over the course of his college career was just 5.2 yards. In Brugler’s view, the Las Vegas native did not exhibit a refined route tree, and if he does not improve in that regard, he could be limited to a gadget/return specialist role. Still, the top two receivers behind London on the depth chart are offseason signees Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus, so Branch should have a real chance to make a name for himself this summer.
There is additional legal-related news concerning the Falcons. Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports that edge rusher James Pearce Jr.‘s pretrial intervention program, which was originally six months in length, has been extended to one year. However, the program’s conditions remain the same.
As Kendall relayed back in April, Pearce will be required to stay away from the alleged victim in the matter, Rickea Jackson, take part in therapy sessions, and avoid further legal trouble (subscription required). Pearce will also be required to submit to random drug testing and write a letter of apology to law enforcement (we had passed on some, but not all, of those details already).
It is unclear whether the extended timeline will impact when the NFL will make a decision on imposing any of its own sanctions. If Pearce successfully completes the program, the three felony charges he faced (including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon) will be dismissed.
DT Zach Sieler Wants To Retire With Dolphins
After signing an extension that made him the highest-paid player on Miami’s defense just a year ago, defensive tackle Zach Sieler likely isn’t planning to retire anytime soon. Whenever he does, though, he’ll want to do so as a Dolphin. Per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, Sieler told the media recently that “he’d like to spend the rest of his career in Miami and will do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Once an unranked high school recruit who walked on at Ferris State University, Sieler has come a long way since former Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome made him the last draft pick of Newsome’s tenure as GM. Baltimore waived Sieler in only his second season with the team, but the Dolphins got to make one the more impactful waiver claims in the franchise’s history, as a result.
With a need for someone at his position, Miami put Sieler to work, quickly having him make his first NFL start within three weeks of moving to Miami, for which he rewarded them with his first career sack. That was only a small sample of the disruptiveness Sieler would offer. In his first full year with the Dolphins, Zieler showed just what the Ravens had let go as he pestered opposing backfields with three sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hits.
Sieler saw a bit of a dip in production in the next two years before delivering two straight 10.0-sack seasons in which he also notched 24 tackles for loss and 41 quarterback hits. Over the course of his seven years in Miami, Sieler’s 35.5 sacks, 59 tackles for loss, and 78 quarterback hits have made him a vital part of the Dolphins’ defense and pass rush.
After trading away pass rusher Jaelan Phillips in the regular season, Miami saw the mass exodus of talent continue this offseason as it said goodbye to offensive stars like wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The team seemed mostly intent on retaining young talent, extending running back De’Von Achane and signing linebacker Jordyn Brooks, but despite reported trade interest, the Dolphins didn’t move Sieler.
At this point, it appears the team will not be moving Sieler, and that seems to be just fine with him. As he’s told the media, he wants to spend the rest of his career in South Florida, so as Miami navigates what appears to be a bit of a rebuild, Sieler’s veteran presence will continue to anchor the Dolphins defense for the foreseeable future.
NFL Front Office Updates: Raiders, Bills, Bears, Rams
As the offseason continues, the Raiders are one of several teams making updates to their front office. Per an announcement released by Las Vegas earlier this week, Ben Chester was promoted from assistant director to director, pro scouting, Kunal Singh was promoted from senior manager to director, football strategy, Patrick Parrilli was elevated from player personnel assistant to pro/college scout, and Jonah Lubin was promoted from football data science assistant to football data scientist.
Chester has been with the Raiders for 12 years, joining the team in 2014 as a pro scout after working in operations at UW-Oshkosh and coaching at UW-Stevens Point. He spent 10 seasons as a pro scout before being named to his most recent role. Singh found his way to the NFL after first working with the Milwaukee Brewers. He started in the league working two seasons as a football data scientist with the Broncos and was hired to his senior manager of football strategy role last year.
Parrilli joined the team two years ago in a move that took him from the coaching world to personnel. After starting off with an undergraduate role at Ave Maria University, Parrilli spent four years at Eastern Kentucky working different roles like running backs coach and quarterbacks coach before landing at Wake Forest. He found his way to Vegas after four years as an offensive analyst for the Demon Deacons. Lubin joined the team last year after a business internship with the Texans. He was a semi-finalist in last year’s Big Data Bowl.
Here are a few other front office updates from around the NFL:
- The Bills joined in on the promotions, elevating football research assistant Cole Jacobson to football analyst, according to ESPN’s Seth Walder. Jacobson arrived in Buffalo last offseason after years of freelance, seasonal, and part-time work with NFL Media, MLB Media, FOX Sports, Stats Perform, and Championship Analytics. He and his team were finalist in last year’s Big Data Bowl.
- Formerly a football analyst for the Bears, Fabian Martinez has been promoted to football data scientist, per Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com. Martinez joined the team last year directly after earning his degree in Information and Data Science at Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- Finally, in Los Angeles, the Rams no longer employ scouting analyst Grant Hizer, according to Walder. Hizer arrived in LA last year after a season working as a research analyst at NFL Next Gen Stats.
Browns’ 3% Sale To Private Equity Firm Approved
In August of 2024, NFL owners voted to permit private equity firms to purchase up to 10-percent stake in NFL teams with a minimum purchase of at least three percent for each stake. Back in May of this year, at the Orlando owners meeting, a vote was passed to approve the Browns’ sale of three percent of the team to Arctos Partners, LP, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Arctos, based out of Dallas, is one of only a few private equity firms permitted by the league to purchase a stake in NFL teams, alongside “Ares Management Corporation, Sixth Street, and a consortium group including Blackstone, Carlyle, CVC, Dynasty Equity, and Ludis, led by Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin.”
The firms are able to hold stake in up to six teams but won’t hold voting power in any of them. Arctos owns eight percent of the Chargers and 10 percent of the Bills, along with minority stakes in the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Golden State Warriors.
According to Forbes magazine, the Browns hold the 18th-highest valuation in the NFL and 28th-highest of all sports franchises in the world. The publication valued the team at $6.4 billion, meaning Arctos’ stake should be worth $190MM. The team’s value recently saw a boost after the team committed another $200MM to their new plans for a $2.6 billion indoor stadium that broke ground in Brook Park at the end of April and is set to open in 2029.
The Haslam Sports Group originally committed to a $1.2 billion contribution which would have represented half of the proposed budget at the time of $2.4 billion. After initially upping only their contribution, the latest $200MM influx is intended to increase both the percentage of contribution to 67.5 percent and the budget for the project to $2.6 billion.
Contract Details: James, Steelers, Berrios
Here are the latest details from recently agreed to contracts from around the NFL:
- Derwin James, S (Chargers): Three years, $75.6MM. Almost all the details for James’ newest extension to stay in LA were divulged in the original post. Per OvertheCap.com, we can now add the final detail that the $3MM roster bonus in the final year of his contract will be due on the third day of the 2029 league year.
- Nick Herbig, OLB (Steelers): Four years, $100MM. Of the $42MM of guaranteed money on the deal, $21MM is fully guaranteed at signing, consisting of a $19.68MM signing bonus and Herbig’s 2026 base salary of $1.33MM, per OvertheCap.com. Herbig will have roster bonuses of $7MM, $6MM, and $6MM due to him on the third days of the 2028, 2029, and 2030 league years, respectively. He’ll also have $300K workout bonuses available to earn each year.
- Darnell Washington, TE (Steelers): Four years. $42MM. According to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, Washington’s new deal includes $20.25MM of total guarantees, $11.25MM of which is guaranteed at signing including a $10MM signing bonus and his 2026 base salary of $1.25MM. He’ll be able to earn annual roster bonuses $2.5MM from 2028-30.
- Braxton Berrios, WR (Giants): One year, $1.3MM. Per Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Berrios’ contract is simply a veteran minimum deal with a base salary of $1.3MM and no guaranteed money, similar to Odell Beckham, Jr.‘s deal.
DeMeco Ryans Hires Former Teammates As Coaching Fellows
DeMeco Ryans has reunited with former teammates Darren Sproles and Jordan Hicks, who have both been selected for Bill Walsh diversity coaching fellowships on the Texans’ staff.
While Ryan is best known for his time playing for the team he now coaches, he spent the last four years of his career in Philadelphia. He overlapped with Sproles in 2014 and 2015 and mentored Hicks, an Eagles 2015 third-round pick, during his rookie year.
The trio will now reunite in Houston where Sproles and Hicks will begin their coaching careers. Sproles was originally expected to join Sean Payton‘s staff in Denver, but instead will work with Ryans, Hicks, as well as the Texans’ seven other new Bill Walsh fellows.
Houston is also bringing analytics expert Russell Joyner back into the fold, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. He spent 11 years in Houston (2011-2022), starting as a football administration director, rising to director of football information systems, and finishing as the team’s senior head of decision science. He returns to the Texans as their senior director of research and development.
In another front office move, the Texans are hiring former Florida Gators and Penn Quakers defensive tackle Joey Slackman as a scouting assistant, per Wilson. He previously worked as a player personnel intern at Florida and James Madison University, according to his LinkedIn.