The Broncos finalized their 53-man roster, but right away, one name is throwing a serious wrench into the Week 1 plans: Jonathon Cooper. He’s on the commissioner’s exempt list, and that means he can’t practice or play for the team. This was expected, sure, but it instantly raises a massive question for the defense as they gear up for a Monday Night Football clash with the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Do they actually have enough firepower in the pass-rushing department without Cooper?
The Depth Chart Is Seriously Alarming
Look, Nik Bonitto is still one of the best pass-rushers in the league, no doubt. He’s a beast. But with Cooper sidelined, the Broncos are going to lean on Jonah Elliss to step up big time until Cooper can get back on the field. The real issue is what’s behind them. Dondrea Tillman and second-year player Que Robinson are the only other edge rushers on the roster. That’s it. This squad led the league in sacks last season, generating pressure from all over the line. Can they maintain that without a key player and with such limited depth? Fans were clamoring for a Von Miller reunion when he was available, and why not? The guy’s a legend! But the Dallas Cowboys swooped in and signed him, leaving Broncos fans wondering what could have been. Now, with Cooper out, that feeling of “what if” is hitting even harder.
To Sign or Not to Sign? That’s the Question
Coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph are probably super confident in the guys they’ve got, especially after last year’s sack numbers. But come on, a veteran option has to be on the table. We’re talking about Haasan Reddick, Leonard Floyd, and Kyle Van Noy, all still out there on the open market. Yeah, they’re all north of 30, but every single one of them has proven they can get to the quarterback. It’s the same exact argument folks were making for Miller, that you need a proven situational pass-rushing option.
The rub? Signing one of these guys means shaking up the 53-man roster that they just finalized. That’s a tough call. It’s way more likely the front office plays it cool, waiting to see how things actually look in that first game without Cooper before they jump into the free agency pool.
So, get ready for Week 1. The Broncos are heading into Arrowhead for Monday Night Football, and all eyes will be on that pass rush. Can Bonitto and Elliss carry the load? Or will the Chiefs expose that thin depth, forcing the Broncos’ hand for a veteran signing way sooner than they planned? It’s going to be intense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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