The Denver Broncos’ pass rush has improved substantially from a season ago. In 2023, the Broncos’ pass rush finished near the bottom in every major passing-rushing metric, ranking 29th in pressures with 117, 29th in pressure percentage with 18.2%, T-20th in QB knockdowns with 47, and T-22nd with 42 sacks. Through nine games, they are 2nd in pressures with 91, 6th in pressure percentage with 27.0%, 4th in QB knockdowns with 33, and T-2nd in sacks with 31, h/t Pro Football Reference.
Despite their early pass rush success, the Broncos traded a pass rusher before the NFL Trade Deadline.
The Denver Broncos traded their former third-round pick to an NFC West team
The Broncos traded Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round pick. Browning is in the final year of his rookie contract and spent half of the season on injured reserve because of a foot injury, but the Broncos activated him ahead of Week 7. He was the odd man out given the success of their pass rush, and since he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season’s end.
Also Read: Denver Broncos: Announced Massive News Regarding Key Defender Ahead of Week 7
In a corresponding move, the Broncos extended one of their pass rushers.
The Denver Broncos announced massive news
According to Mike Klis of 9News, the Broncos signed Jonathon Cooper to a four-year, $60 million contract extension. Klis also points out that Cooper has $33 million in guarantees attached to the extension. Both parties agreed to the deal on Saturday, but it became official today.
Source: Broncos have signed OLB Jonathon Cooper to 4 years, $60 million deal with $33 million in guarantees. Deal done Saturday.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) November 4, 2024
The former seventh-round pick is becoming a rising star
After participating in less than half of the playing time during his first two seasons, Jonathon Cooper has turned into a rising star, thanks to him becoming the starter and having an expanded role for the past 1.5 seasons. Cooper became a starter during the 2023 season and didn’t let that opportunity go to waste, recording 72 tackles, eight TFLs, 13 QB hits, 8.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 17 starts.
So far, Cooper has had a solid start to the 2024 campaign. He has 35 tackles, six TFLs, 11 QB hits, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in nine starts. Based on how he’s playing, he could surpass his sack total from last season before the end of the year.
