Last weekend, Cooper posted a Bible verse about anger on his Instagram account and wrote, “I apologize to my family and my friends and my community. … And so many others.” He added, “I realize positing a bible (verse) after something very serious happens does not just mean everything is okay.”

In another post, Cooper wrote, “I apologize. This situation is not who I am.”

Cooper is scheduled to have a motions hearing in a Douglas County courtroom on July 6 with the potential for a jury trial on July 22, just before the Broncos report for training camp.

Cooper’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, said Monday the defense doesn’t plan to file a motion to dismiss the charges and requested a trial date as soon as possible so that Cooper wouldn’t have to miss any training camp workouts.

Earlier Thursday afternoon, Broncos coach Sean Payton spoke on Cooper’s first arrest, telling reporters that he had not yet addressed the team on the matter.

“I think this: I think the league has done a good job of kind of coming in and really taking over that responsibility,” Payton said. “We had a long visit with Coop, and now the process plays out. The league obviously will be very much involved in that. We’ll stay abreast, but much like you all. I think that’s where it’s at. We just go from there.”

Cooper has been in attendance during Denver’s offseason program. He is subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

A seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2021, Cooper is entering his sixth season with the Broncos. He has started every game since 2023 and has 31.5 career sacks. He’s had at least eight sacks in each of the last three seasons, including a career-best 10.5 sacks in 2024 when he signed a four-year, $54 million contract extension.

The Broncos wrapped up voluntary organized team activities Thursday and will hold their mandatory minicamp on June 16-18.

With Payton as head coach, the Broncos captured their first AFC West title in 10 years in 2025 after finishing with a 14-3 record in the regular season en route to hosting the AFC Championship Game. Denver also snapped its eight-year playoff drought in 2024 under Payton, earning a wild card berth with a 10-7 mark.

Since 2024, Payton has led the Broncos’ offense to NFL top-10 rankings in fewest sacks allowed (1^st, 47) and passing touchdowns (8^th, 55) while ranking fifth in the AFC in points (24.3) and touchdowns scored (92). Quarterback Bo Nix, who was selected 12^th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, became just the third quarterback in league history to win at least 10 games and make the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.

Defensively, the Broncos have allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (20.3) in the NFL under Payton, while also ranking second during that span in third down percentage (34.8) and third in red zone percentage (48.8). Denver became just the third team in NFL history to eclipse 60 sacks in consecutive seasons, setting franchise records in 2024 (63) and 2025 (68).

Since joining the Broncos, Payton has coached nine different players to a total of 13 All-Pro selections, which is tied for the fourth-most in the NFL in that span. All-Pro honors since 2023 include defensive lineman Zach Allen (2 selections), guard Quinn Meinerz (2), wide receiver/returner Marvin Mims Jr. (2), cornerback Pat Surtain (2), tackle Garett Bolles (1), outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (1), safety Talanoa Hufanga (1), safety Devon Key (1) and safety Justin Simmons (1).

Additionally, Payton has coached eight different Broncos to 12 total Pro Bowl selections, including Surtain (3 selections), Bonitto (2), Mims (2), Allen (1), Bolles (1), Meinerz (1), Simmons (1) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (1).

Surtain became the second player in franchise history to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year after signing a four-year contract extension in 2024. Bonitto earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist status the following year in 2025.

During his 15 seasons as the Saints’ head coach, Payton led New Orleans to nine playoff berths, seven NFC South Division titles and a victory in Super Bowl XLIV (2009). The Saints won 10 or more games in nine seasons under Payton, finishing as the NFC’s No. 1 seed on two occasions (2009, ’18).

Before joining the Saints in 2006, Payton spent three seasons (2003-05) as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach with the Dallas Cowboys and four years with the New York Giants, coaching quarterbacks in 1999 before serving as offensive coordinator from 2000-02. He began his NFL coaching career as quarterbacks coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1997-98 following nine seasons at the collegiate level.