The Denver Broncos signed linebacker Jonathon Cooper to a four-year contract extension Monday, while trading linebacker Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals for a future sixth-round draft pick, multiple outlets reported.
Cooper, 26, earned his reward for his 14 sacks and 107 tackles in the past 1 1/2 seasons. In four total NFL seasons with the Broncos, Cooper has 193 tackles and 18.5 sacks in 56 games (40 starts).
Browning, 25, had seven tackles in five games (two starts) this season and has 114 career tackles and 9.5 sacks in 43 games (28 starts), all with the Broncos over the past four seasons.
The moves came just after Broncos head coach Sean Payton said he is content with the personnel on hand, even after his team was overwhelmed by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday with a matchup upcoming against the rival Kansas City Chiefs this week.
With 24 hours remaining until the trade deadline, Payton is taking a realistic approach to the potential for roster reinforcements.
“Superman’s not walking in,” he said.
The Broncos are in the midst of a revival after not finishing above .500 in any of the previous seven seasons. Denver is 5-4 and entered Sunday’s 41-10 road loss with five victories in six games after dropping the first two contests on the schedule.
Rookie Bo Nix has delivered a solid rookie season, completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 1,753 yards and eight touchdowns with six interceptions. The No. 12 overall selection in April’s NFL draft also has rushed for 295 yards and four TDs.
Even though roster moves already have begun, Payton will keep his focus on matters under his control.
“The next 24 hours for me will be just like last Monday, or the following Monday or the Monday prior,” Payton said. “It’s going to be putting to bed the game we just played and then the preparation begins on Kansas City.”
Areas Payton would like to see addressed, and not necessarily on the trade market, are defending the run and winning the turnover battle.
“We’re minus-one right now in the turnover battle,” Payton said. “If we’re having that discussion towards the end of the season, that’s not going to be good. So that has to be something in our favor.”
On defense, Denver has allowed 978 rushing yards this season, making them one of 11 teams not to allow 1,000 yards. The team’s six rushing TDs allowed are tied for seventh-best in the league.
“If we’re having problems defending the run, or we’re having problems (to) play it on our terms, I think it’s going to be challenging for us to accomplish our goals,” Payton said.
