The Cleveland Browns reportedly would only trade Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams if Jared Verse was a part of the deal. They clearly valued the former Defensive Rookie of the Year at the level of a first-round draft pick.
Verse's tape and numbers were remarkable for a third-year player. And while asking him to be the next Garrett was never realistic, he certainly looked like one of the best young pass rushers in the game over two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
Through four games, that hasn't shown with his new team.
While it's way too early to worry about Verse, fans are getting anxious. It seems that's also the case with Verse, and the hunger for his first sack is precisely what might be standing in his way right now.
Jared Verse is too intense on the field for his own good right now
Verse arrived in Cleveland with a fire inside of him. He took it upon himself to elevate the competition in practice, even going at it with rookie left tackle Spencer Fano to help make sure he would be ready for the season opener. That impact cannot be overlooked.
Numbers-wise, however, Verse has left plenty to be desired.
According to Pro Football Focus, Verse has seven total pressures, two quarterback hits, five hurries, and four run stops through four games. That's not going to cut it for the key asset involved in the Garrett trade.
Expectations can get into a player's head. Verse admitted to being emotional after the trade, and he might be forcing things right now. That nearly cost the Browns the game in Week 4 when he jumped offsides on a two-point conversion attempt, drawing a penalty that led to an Aaron Rodgers quarterback sneak.
That intensity and passion are what make Verse great. Those are the traits that have helped him become a leader in the locker room right now. To Verse's credit, he has remained positive and said all the right things about his teammates and the defense's performance. He hasn't made it about him.
Sometimes trying to do too much only gets in the way of doing your actual job. No one expects Verse to have 20-plus sacks per season, but that standard might be hurting him right now.
Hopefully, Verse will finally break loose after recording that elusive first sack. Maybe that's all he needs to get out of his own head and go back to his usual self. With Mason Graham set to miss some time, he might have more opportunities.
Verse has the makings of a star and a fan favorite, but the fact that he'll always be judged as the player the Browns got in return for Garrett is a heavy cross to bear.
Maybe he should just focus on doing his job and not so much on the numbers.
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