Jared Verse addressed his Browns sack drought in the best way: ‘S—, we winning’

If Jared Verse is frustrated, he hasn’t shown it on the field or in front of the media.

During Thursday’s weekly press availability, he smiled and talked up the team’s talent — from the starters to the practice squad — in response to a question about the Cleveland Browns entering Week 7 second in the NFL in total sacks with 19.

“That’s the attack front,” he said. “That’s how we are. We’re just very aggressive. .... We’ve got dominant people across the board.”

A whopping 11 of those 19 sacks have come from interior defensive linemen, led by Mason Graham (4) and Maliek Collins (3.5). Another four have come from inside linebackers and safeties. 

Through six games, Cleveland’s edge defenders — Verse, Isaiah McGuire, Derek Barnett, and Sam Williams — have bolstered the team’s elite pressure rates while remaining a factor in the run game. 

But the sacks? Aside from four combined from McGuire (3) and Sam Williams (1), those stats have been funneled to other position groups. 

Verse, now amid the longest sack drought of his young career, had the perfect response to questions on that subject from Browns reporters. His body language was as genuine as the smile on his face as he answered the question.

“I’m not frustrated at all,” he said with a slight shake of the head. “I mean, s—, we winning. I’d be frustrated if we were losing. But, nah, we winning. There’s nothing to be upset about. Obviously, I want the stats and everything like that, but it’s just testament to myself. I gotta work harder. I gotta do more.”

Jared Verse has the perfect perspective on his Browns sack drought

Nobody was picking the Browns to contend for anything this season, outside of maybe another top-five draft pick.

With his team sitting at 4-2 atop the AFC North and entering Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans as road favorites, Verse hit the nail on the head with his comments.

Browns fans are in their feelings right now. Refreshingly, widespread frustration isn’t one of them.

Cleveland’s found a winning formula on defense over its past five games. For now, sack production from Verse hasn’t been a necessity. For the Browns to trade away one of the greatest sack artists ever in Myles Garrett and remain atop the NFL in sacks is a testament to defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg and the entire operation.

Jared Verse couldn't ask for a better opportunity to end his sack drought

There could be opportunities for Verse to end his slump against second-year quarterback Cam Ward and the Titans. Ward has been among the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL dating back to 2025. He’s taken a ridiculous 65 sacks in 23 career games.

To Ward’s credit, he’s been better in that department through six games this year. He’s been sacked 10 times, well behind the NFL leader — which happens to be Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson at 24.

Head coach Todd Monken said it after the Thursday Night Football win over the Steelers back on Oct. 1. Monken joined the TNF postgame crew, and host Charissa Thompson noticed him looking over a tablet on the set that showed the final box score. She asked Monken if anything jumped out at him.

“27-24,” he said.

The opportunity to climb to 5-2 and potentially create some distance atop the division is all that matters. It sure beats 1-6 and mock draft talk in October.

Verse is too talented to sit on zero sacks for much longer. He can play better, but his attitude should give fans reassurance that his Browns breakout party is coming soon. There's a real chance it arrives in Nashville on Sunday.

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