Justin Simmons took aim at ESPN on Monday after the network discussed Broncos linebacker Jonathan Cooper’s domestic violence case during “Monday Night Football” while, in Simmons’ view, sidestepping the controversy involving Mike Vrabel.
“So we can talk about Jonathon Cooper on TV but not Vrabel? That’s insane," Simmons tweeted on Monday.
Simmons, who spent eight seasons with the Denver Broncos from 2016 through 2023, was one of the franchise’s most decorated defenders in that span, earning two Pro Bowl nods and four second-team All-Pro selections. He finished his playing career with one season in Atlanta in 2024.
Cooper’s legal situation has been in the spotlight since his arrests twice in June on domestic violence charges. He pleaded not guilty to felony domestic violence charges in a Colorado court in August, and his trial is scheduled for Nov. 10.
Vrabel’s name entered the conversation after his own offseason controversy with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini. In April, photos of the two at an adults-only resort in Arizona spread on social media. Both denied wrongdoing, but Russini later resigned from her job at The Athletic, and Vrabel missed Day 3 of the NFL draft to seek counselling.
Last week, The Athletic’s internal investigation said Russini had violated conflict-of-interest disclosure policies tied to her relationship with Vrabel.
The Patriots coach is now back in the news for reasons on the field, too. New England dropped its Week 1 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, 13-10, after carrying a 10-0 lead into the second half and then giving up 13 straight points.
Drake Maye’s fourth quarter unraveled from there. The Patriots quarterback threw three interceptions in the final period, including a game-ending pick in the end zone on the last possession.
New England turns to the Pittsburgh Steelers next, with the Week 2 matchup set for Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Pittsburgh opened its season with a 20-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
In Other News...
Broncos Had A Wild Quarterback Emergency After Bo Nix Went Down
Bo Nixs broken ankle late in the AFC Divisional Round suddenly left the Broncos searching for answers at the games most important position, and the urgency stretched far beyond the immediate aftermath. With an AFC Championship Game looming, Denvers coaching staff had to explore every realistic option, turning a playoff injury into a full-blown quarterback emergency at exactly the wrong time.
According to Adam Schefter, Broncos assistants Pete Carmichael and Joe Lombardi reached out to Drew Brees to see whether the former Saints star might have any interest in ending his retirement for one more run. Brees passed because of wrist discomfort, closing off one of the most intriguing emergency fixes imaginable, even with his past ties to Sean Payton from their New Orleans days hanging over the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Sean Payton Faces A Bigger Bo Nix Question After Broncos Collapse
Bo Nixs afternoon against Kansas City was the kind of game that leaves a coach searching for answers in every direction. The Broncos quarterback finished with 17 completions for 131 yards and a touchdown, but the turnovers and the overall sloppiness in the loss turned what should have been another measuring-stick game into a fresh reminder of how fragile Denvers offense still is.
Sean Payton now has a much bigger quarterback conversation on his hands, especially with outside voices already wondering whether changes could come at Nix or offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Nix, for his part, pointed to execution rather than play-calling, saying the Broncos were running the calls they were given but not carrying them out well enough, which only deepens the frustration after a defeat that felt like it opened more questions than it answered. [Read more 🡒]
ESPN Just Reignited An NFL Double Standard Debate Fans Know Well
During ESPNs Monday Night Football coverage of the Broncos-Chiefs game, sideline reporter Laura Rutledge noted that Denver defender Jonathon Cooper was out because he had been placed on the commissioners exempt list after domestic violence charges. It was a sharp in-game reference to a serious off-field issue, the kind of subject broadcasts often handle carefully when a players availability is affected by more than just injury or coaching decisions.
Former Broncos safety Justin Simmons quickly took issue with ESPN bringing Coopers legal situation into the telecast, and the pushback helped reopen an old argument about where game coverage should draw the line. The reaction from former players and fans has once again put ESPNs treatment of player controversies under the microscope, especially when the topic lands in the middle of a nationally televised rivalry game. [Read more 🡒]