In the blink of an eye, Jared Verse went from chasing a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams to being a cornerstone of a Cleveland Browns rebuild. The blockbuster trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Rams in exchange for Verse and a trio of draft picks sent shockwaves through the NFL. Now, the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year is breaking his silence on the move.
Verse, who racked up 124 tackles, 45 QB hits, 22 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and five forced fumbles over two seasons with the Rams, admitted the trade caught him off guard. “It caught me by surprise. I love L.A. I love the coaches, the organization, my teammates, the staff, the fans. I love the whole vibe of L.A. It was upsetting. I was upset for a good little bit of time,” Verse said via Pro Football Talk. “But when you’re an athlete you understand the nature of business. Everybody does what they think is best for their business and that’s the situation that I’m in. I’m happy to be a part of the Browns. I’m happy that they believe in me and that they were able to make that trade and bring me here.”
The Browns' front office is equally thrilled to land the disruptive pass rusher. General Manager Andrew Berry didn’t mince words about why they pulled the trigger on the deal. “Jared is an outstanding football player, former Defensive Rookie of the Year, two-time original ballot Pro Bowler,” Berry said. “He’s a perfect DNA match for our attacking front. He’s really a terror in both phases, both as a run defender and a pass rusher, and we are really, really excited to add him to our team. He allows us to continue to play defense as a high level, which has been our standard over the past several seasons.”
Berry also emphasized that the opportunity to trade Garrett was simply too great to pass up. The deal sent Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to Cleveland, giving the Browns a young, cost-controlled star to build around.
Verse’s versatility is a key reason the Browns were willing to part ways with Garrett. At 6'4" and 258 pounds, Verse can line up as a traditional edge rusher or drop back into coverage, making him a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators. His ability to disrupt both the run and pass fits perfectly with the aggressive scheme defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz wants to run.
For Cleveland, this isn’t just about replacing Garrett—it’s about crafting a new identity. The Browns have Verse under team control through the 2028 season, and if he continues to produce at his current level, a long-term extension seems inevitable. The analysts have unanimously praised the haul the Browns received, calling it a win for the franchise’s future.
Verse’s journey from a Super Bowl contender to a rebuilding squad isn’t easy, but he’s already embracing the challenge. “I’m happy that they believe in me,” he said, a sentiment that Browns fans are eager to see translate into game-day production.
As the Browns look ahead, the focus shifts to how Verse will mesh with his new teammates and coaching staff. The team has pumped the brakes on starting hype around other positions, but there’s no such caution when it comes to Verse. He’s the centerpiece of a defense that hopes to remain elite even without Garrett.
For now, Verse is taking it all in stride. The mixed emotions are real, but so is the excitement. The NFL is a business, and sometimes the best deals are the ones that surprise you. For the Browns and Verse, this could be the start of something special.
