The Cleveland Browns drew a line in the sand while negotiating the Myles Garrett trade with the Los Angeles Rams. They reportedly either needed 25-year-old pass rusher Jared Verse included in the offer, or no deal. That's how serious general manager Andrew Berry was about getting the former Defensive Rookie of the Year to Cleveland.
While there's no such thing as replacing Garrett, Verse is one of the few young pass rushers who could one day make a comparable impact.
He has quickly become a culture-setter on his new team. He's coaching up the rookies and trying to lift morale with a franchise that has been the butt of jokes for far too long.
Notably, that includes seeking his own mentorship, like reaching out to Maxx Crosby and Von Miller for some pointers.
"Jared Verse told NFL Network he spoke a lot with Maxx Crosby and Von Miller this offseason. They told him his power is the best in the NFL and that he needs to find things to work off of using that. They showed him different moves and techniques off that bull rush," reported James Palmer.
Browns' Jared Verse sought advice from Maxx Crosby and Von Miller to expand his pass-rush arsenal
Verse is just getting started, and he'll keep getting better for as long as he continues to work on his craft and be humble enough to seek help from those who have been there and done that. He's got to add more moves to his repertoire, but he's already a disruptive force with his stabs and raw strength.
Younger players reach out to veterans all the time, so it's not like he's doing anything particularly extraordinary here. But this goes to show just how much he cares, and that he understands the responsibility and the weight he's about to carry from this point forward.
Verse got his career started with two Pro Bowl selections and a Defensive Rookie of the Year nod. He's logged 120 total tackles, 12 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two passes defensed. That's a far cry from Garrett's production, but the arrow is most definitely trending up.
The Browns' defense was — and still hopes to be — much more than just Myles Garrett. It should continue to be one of the best and most physical units in the game with Mike Rutenberg calling the shots. The Browns should do just fine in the pass-rushing department with Verse, Alex Wright, and Isaiah McGuire leading that group.
Great players are never satisfied. It's not just about putting up the numbers or going through the motions. Verse was clearly hurt and blindsided by the trade, but instead of pouting, feeling sorry for himself, or taking shots at his former team, he's embracing his new opportunity and trying to make the most of it.
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