Jonathon Cooper Bio
Jonathon Cooper is an American professional football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes before entering the NFL in 2021. After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Cooper overcame serious heart-related health challenges to establish himself as a productive defensive player for the Broncos.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 117 kilograms, Cooper is recognized for his motor, leadership, and pass-rushing ability. He has become a key part of Denver’s defensive front, signing a major contract extension with the team in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Jonathon Cooper was born on January 8, 1998, in Gahanna, Ohio. His mother, Jessica Moorman, was 17 years old at the time of his birth and had college aspirations of her own. Because Cooper arrived nine weeks premature and weighed only four pounds, Moorman decided to raise him herself rather than pursue adoption. She balanced work at an accounting firm with raising her son, eventually earning her college degree after spending two months with Cooper in a hospital intensive care unit.
Cooper began playing football at six years old, often crediting his mother’s work ethic as a primary inspiration. Before starting high school at Gahanna-Lincoln, he and his mother built a workout circuit in their basement, an early sign of his dedication to the sport. During his freshman year of high school, Cooper was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a rare heart condition that can cause an abnormally fast heartbeat.
Despite his health concern, Cooper continued developing as a football player and committed to Ohio State University, where he would spend the next phase of his athletic career.
Path to American Football
Cooper’s journey to high-level American football began in earnest at Gahanna-Lincoln High School, where his early workouts and on-field play attracted college attention. His commitment to Ohio State marked a significant step, providing him with an opportunity to compete at one of the strongest football programs in the Big Ten Conference.
At Ohio State, Cooper played in 45 games over five seasons from 2016 to 2020, recording 75 tackles and 10 sacks. He was recognized with second-team All-American honors and third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020. Cooper also became the first Ohio State player to ever wear jersey number 0, a number awarded to him in recognition of his leadership qualities. His college performance positioned him as a potential mid-round pick heading into the NFL.
Jonathon Cooper Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
Cooper entered the 2021 NFL Draft expecting to be selected between the third and fifth rounds. However, two days before the draft, doctors discovered an atrial fibrillation in his heart, which led to three separate heart procedures. The health concerns caused him to fall to the seventh round, where the Denver Broncos selected him 239th overall. Broncos general manager George Paton noted that despite the medical red flags, the team was drawn to Cooper’s motor and leadership.
After missing rookie minicamp, organized team activities, and mandatory minicamp while recovering from heart procedures, Cooper was cleared to attend training camp. On June 15, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with Denver and began his NFL career.
Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2023)
Ahead of the 2023 season, Cooper switched his jersey number from 53 to 0, matching the number he wore at Ohio State. The change seemed to mark a new chapter in his career, as he went on to lead the Broncos in sacks that season with eight and a half. His production validated Denver’s earlier belief in his talent and work ethic.
Current Team Era (2024-Present)
Cooper’s strong 2023 campaign set the stage for a major milestone in his professional career. On November 4, 2024, he signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Denver Broncos after recording five and a half sacks through the first nine games of the season. By the end of 2024, Cooper had registered 10.5 sacks, his first double-digit sack season in the NFL.
On March 21, 2025, Cooper’s contract was restructured to provide the Broncos additional salary cap space. That same season, he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6 after recording two sacks in a victory against the New York Jets.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cooper is recognized for his high motor, leadership, and pass-rushing skill set. His combination of size, strength, and relentless effort makes him effective against both the run and the pass. These traits were precisely what drew Denver to draft him despite his medical history.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Cooper’s career are being the first Ohio State player to wear number 0, leading the Broncos in sacks in 2023, and recording his first double-digit sack season in 2024. His contract extension in 2024 stands as one of the most significant milestones of his professional career.
Jonathon Cooper Career Wins
Jonathon Cooper’s professional resume continues to grow as he establishes himself as a reliable pass rusher in the NFL. While team-wide win totals vary from season to season, Cooper’s individual statistical milestones highlight his impact on the Broncos’ defensive efforts.
Denver Broncos Highlights
Cooper joined the Denver Broncos in 2021 as a seventh-round draft pick. His standout season came in 2024, when he recorded 10.5 sacks and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 6 against the New York Jets.
Other Wins and Performances
Cooper was a decorated college player at Ohio State, where he earned second-team All-American and third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020. His first significant professional recognition came with the 2023 sack title among Broncos defenders.
Jonathon Cooper Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football is not described as a family tradition for Jonathon Cooper. His mother, Jessica Moorman, played a central role in shaping his athletic career, instilling the work ethic that has defined his approach to the sport.
Personal Life
Cooper was raised primarily by his mother, who balanced raising him as a young single parent with her own education and career. Details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly confirmed in available records.
2025 Season Performance
Jonathon Cooper entered the 2025 NFL season as a focal point of the Denver Broncos’ defensive front. Following his breakout 2024 campaign and his major contract extension, expectations were high for continued production as a pass rusher. His restructured contract in March 2025 reflected both his value to the team and Denver’s efforts to manage the salary cap.
Early in the 2025 season, Cooper earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 6 after a two-sack performance against the New York Jets. The recognition reaffirmed his status as one of the Broncos’ most impactful defenders.
Looking ahead, Cooper remains a cornerstone of Denver’s defense, with multiple seasons remaining on his contract. His combination of leadership, motor, and statistical production positions him as a long-term contributor for the Broncos.