When the Cleveland Browns take the field in 2026, they will do so without Myles Garrett on their roster for the first time since 2016. However, the Browns have another star edge defender in Jared Verse, who they acquired in the offseason trade that sent Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.
Verse, entering his third season, is already a two-time Pro Bowler, but he’s not Myles Garrett. The young defender has made it clear that he’s not trying to be Garrett, instead focusing on being the best version of himself. To accomplish that, many people believe Verse needs to add more tools to his pass-rushing bag.
Again, he’s already one of the most productive young defenders in the NFL, but one frequent criticism of his game is that he’s all power. Fans and analysts have argued that Verse only finds success as a pass rusher when he is able to bull rush offensive linemen. When the defender can’t overpower tackles, he has been criticized for not having countermoves or other ways to win.
On Thursday, Verse made it clear that he is well aware of that conversation, and has been hard at work to make sure the conversation comes to an end during the 2026 season.
“The biggest thing I did this whole camp and this whole offseason was I focused on losing. I wanted to go out there and I wanted to lose as much as possible with these moves and try different stuff, try things I'm not comfortable with. … Try things I haven’t done in the season and go out there and lose and figure out what works and what doesn't.
I tried moves and they would kill everyone. … I’m adding that to my bag. I tried moves I had no business trying those moves. … Let’s scrap this one. … I’ve learned a lot and I got exactly where I wanna be in my bag now.”
Jared Verse has spent the offseason adding more tools to his pass-rushing bag
This shows great self-awareness for Verse, and it shows that he approached the offseason the right way: a time to try things, fail, and get better. By doing that, the edge defender has a better understanding of his game, and he should be a better player as a result.
That’s exciting news for the Browns, and scary for the rest of the NFL, because Verse is already an elite player. As a rookie for the Los Angeles Rams, Verse played 17 games, posting 4.5 sacks, 66 tackles, and 11 tackles for a loss, and won Defensive Rookie of the Year. In year two, he improved his sack production to 7.5. While that gives him just 12 sacks through two seasons, he has lived in opposing backfields, posting 69 total pressures in his young career.
Verse was doing that arguably as a one-dimensional player. Now, entering year three, playing with a better defense, Verse vows to have a deeper pass rushing bag, and that should make for some exciting moments for Browns fans.
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