Alright, so check this: Jonathon Cooper, the dude who was a key starter for the Broncos’ absolutely league-leading pass rush, is officially sidelined for the foreseeable future. Yeah, you read that right. He’s been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List because of some super serious legal stuff off the field. This ain’t just a regular injury report; it’s a massive shake-up right as the regular season gets going. GM George Paton himself got in front of reporters, making it clear they’re taking this whole situation “very seriously,” monitoring all the legal developments, and they’re gonna keep supporting Cooper. Paton even said Cooper’s “worked very hard to better himself” and they want him “in the building, be in meetings and just be a part of the team” through all this. It’s a tough spot for everyone, but man, the big question on everyone’s mind is: who fills those huge shoes on the field?
Next Man Up Mentality: Can The Broncos Keep The Sack Train Rolling?
You’d think losing a guy who was central to a unit that led the entire league in sacks for the last two years would send a team into a full-blown panic. But Paton’s vibes were definitely not panic mode. He’s talking up the depth, saying, “These guys have all played in games. Big games.” That’s huge. It tells you they’re not just throwing unproven guys out there. This isn’t some shot in the dark; it’s a testament to the talent they’ve built up. Paton emphasized, “All these guys we feel like can play,” making it clear they’ve got options. They led the league in sacks for two straight years, and the GM is basically saying the cupboard isn’t bare. He also dropped a classic line every GM loves: “You can never have enough pass rushers,” hinting they’ll always be looking around, but the confidence in their current crew is obvious.
The Young Guns: Elliss And Robinson Are Ready To Feast
Now, this is where the real excitement starts boiling over! We’re talking about a massive opportunity for two young studs. Third-year edge rusher Jonah Elliss is the guy everyone expects to immediately step into Cooper’s starting lineup spot. We’ve seen flashes of pure talent from him in his first two years, right? Now, it’s not just flashes; it’s prime time. This is his moment to grab that starting role and just explode. But seriously, do NOT sleep on second-year phenom Que Robinson. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph was already calling him a “future starter” last season, which is high praise for a rookie. Paton doubled down on that, singling out Robinson and saying they “feel really good about him” going forward. The GM specifically mentioned how Que “coming on late” last year was a big deal. And get this: Joseph even believes Robinson has all the tools to be a legit 10+ sack guy *this* upcoming season! Ten sacks? That’s game-wrecker territory. These aren’t just backups; these are two young guns primed for a breakout.
So, with the regular season kicking off, all eyes are gonna be on Elliss and Robinson. Can they actually maintain that league-leading pass rush intensity that Cooper was a part of? This isn’t just about filling a spot; it’s about proving they belong in the elite conversation. This is their moment to show everyone they’re not just depth pieces, but bona fide, week-in, week-out difference-makers. Get ready, because these guys are about to go to work and try to keep that sack total climbing!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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