The Denver Broncos gave outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper a four-year, $54 million contract extension earlier this month that included a $6,025,168 signing bonus.
After signing that big extension, Cooper treated the team’s other pass rushers — including Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman and Andrew Farmer — to a pair of dinners, one at Del Frisco’s and one Ruth’s Chris, according to the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson. The two meals cost about $1,400.
“As I become more of a vet and taking the young guys out for dinner and everything, kind of building a bond is what you’re supposed to do,” Cooper told Tomasson.
This is the latest example of Cooper’s leadership.
After got big extension, Jonathon Cooper took all 6 #Broncos OLBs out to dinner twice, at Del Frisco’s & Ruth’s Chris. Bill for each about $700 “As I become more of a vet & taking the young guys out for dinner and everything, kind of building a bond is what you’re supposed to do”
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) November 15, 2024
“‘Coop’ has been a joy to coach the last two years,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said in October. “He’s the same person every day. His energy, his toughness and his focus in always on point. He’s a guy that allows you to change the culture because [of] how he works every day on and off the field.
“It’s contagious, and guys have to match his intensity. He’s been that way for two years that I’ve been here. It doesn’t change on game day. He is a fully engaged, full speed, physical player.”
Cooper has totaled 6.5 sacks through 10 games this fall, putting him on pace for the first double-digit sack season of his career in 2024. Cooper’s four-year extension was well-deserved and it’s already paying off for the Broncos both on and off the field.
