ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the Denver Broncos prepare for a pivotal 2025 season, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is continuing to step into a role that extends well beyond the stat sheet.
Fresh off signing a contract extension that reflects his growing impact on and off the field, Cooper's mindset remains grounded with an additional focus on leadership.
"Being more of a leader for the team, that's the only thing that's changed as far as my work," Cooper said. "Getting better and trying to be the best I can be every day — that hasn't changed."
A seventh-round pick in 2021, Cooper has grown into a versatile pass rusher in the Broncos' defense. Now, he's embracing the responsibilities that come with being a leader.
"I feel a big responsibility," he said. "…I feel like a lot of the guys on the team look to me just to be that vocal leader, to be that guy. I've got to set the example every single day — make sure I'm showing up to work, make sure I'm being a professional and just taking it day by day, working hard, taking every rep serious and just leading by example and also being vocal. I think it's extremely important."
Cooper's emergence as a leader comes at a critical time for the Broncos, who are looking to build on last season's playoff appearance. For the Ohio State product, the experience of reaching the postseason only strengthened his commitment to both the team and its fan base.
"It means more just from a big standpoint, just from Broncos Country, my teammates, the coaches," Cooper said. "It just means that much more to me just because I see how much it means to everybody else. I see how much the fans it impacts — even last year, us making it to the playoffs, how much that meant to everybody, and that next level is something that we have to keep striving to be."
According to Cooper, reaching that next level starts with connection.
"It's all about making the team better and forming that bond and forming that connection between each other," he said. "You've got to be in tune with your teammates."
His passion for the team's success is echoed through his belief in the defense's potential.
"I don't see [a] reason for us not to be the most dominant unit in the league," Cooper said. "There's nothing holding us back. There's nothing stopping us. … I don't think any of us have reached our potential, and we're just going to keep working until we are the best in the league, honestly."
That drive and focus haven't gone unnoticed by those around him. Head Coach Sean Payton praised Cooper's consistency and work ethic.
"It's extremely important to him, and I think he's one of our tough competitors," Payton said. "There's something to him relative to the importance of playing hard and with good technique. He's very coachable, and I'd say he's one of our team leaders. I think sometimes that comes in the form of 'follow me in how I work,' and sometimes it can be vocal — but he's a diligent worker."
As the Broncos aim to take another step forward in 2025, they'll do so with No. 0 helping to lead the charge.
