Jonathon Cooper didn’t hold back.
The Broncos haven’t had a defensive player record double-digit sacks in a season since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in 2018.
And after the fourth-year outside linebacker fell short of breaking the streak last season with a team-best 8.5 sacks, he and the rest of Denver’s edge rushers are not settling for anything less this fall.
“Ten-plus sacks across the room is the goal. Nothing short,” Cooper said. “That’s why I’m saying last year is just last year. I feel like the number for 8.5 as the sacks leader is too low. We have to bring that up.”
Though Cooper has bigger goals, his production in 2023 was hardly second-rate. After the 26-year-old recorded a combined 4.5 sacks in his first two seasons in Denver, he solidified his role as a starter on defense — enough so that the Broncos felt comfortable cutting ties with veteran pass-rushers Randy Gregory and Frank Clark last season.
The next step for Cooper, Baron Browning and third-year edge rusher Nik Bonitto is to develop consistency. In a division that includes the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert, getting to the quarterback is a must.
Denver appears to have shown faith in the group. The Broncos passed up on the opportunity to select top edge rushers Dallas Turner, Jared Verse and Laiatu Latu in favor of taking quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s up to them to prove they can be a foundational piece to the Broncos defense for years to come.
“It’s a good group between (Cooper), and Nik and Baron,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “They all can rush the passer. … It’s a room that should make some hay this year for us.”
Denver’s pass rush made strides last fall. Cooper’s sack total, as well as Bonitto’s career-best eight sacks, were the most by a Broncos player since Malik Reed in 2020. Still, there’s a need for more production overall. The Broncos had the fifth-highest blitz rate (35%) in the league, but they were tied for 21st in sacks, 29th in pressure rate (18.2%) and 16th in quarterback hits (100).
But if the Broncos truly want to have a chance to improve their pass-rush efforts, they have to be healthy. In 2023, Browning missed all of training camp and was sidelined for the first six games due to offseason surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus. Bonitto missed two games during his sophomore campaign and was in and out of training camp practices with a back injury.
“Everybody being healthy, developing as players (and) getting more comfortable under the system (is the key),” Cooper said. “We always want to do better.”
Still, there’s a sense of belief within the team that the group, including rookie edge rusher Jonah Elliss, has what it takes to make the necessary strides. Head coach Sean Payton called Cooper a “physical player” who should benefit from starting in 17 games last season. Payton said Bonitto sets the edge well and is more confident than he was a year ago. It’s just a matter of improving as a run defender.
“(Bonitto) has those flash plays. (But) can we get that in every game (or) practice?” outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite said. “That’s part of his maturation progress. I think he’s on his way to that.”
As for Browning, Payton compared him to the late Saints defensive end Will Smith. The former Ohio State edge rusher has totaled 9.5 sacks in the last two seasons, including 4.5 and 10 pressures in 10 games last year.
Browning and Cooper, who are both entering the final year of their deals, have shown they can make plays against the pass and run. During training camp, Browning was a disruptive presence in the backfield and one of the best players on the field.
It’s just a matter of translating that effort to the games weekly.
“We’re just trying to be the leaders of the defense and make plays,” Browning said. “That’s our mindset, and we (believe) in it.”
Bringing the heat
Denver’s defense is hoping for more production from its pass rush after an inconsistent year in 2023. Mobile users, tap here to see the chart.
| Pass rush stat | Total | NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Blitz Rate | 35% | 5th |
| Sacks | 42 | T-21st |
| Pressure Rate | 18.20% | 29th |
| QB Hits | 100 | 16th |
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