Jared Verse almost feels like the forgotten man in the trade that sent superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams.
That should be the case, though, because Verse, 25, is well on the way to superstardom himself.
The Browns traded Garrett, the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best pass-rushers of all-time, for a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick.
That alone wouldn’t have been enough for one of the greatest to ever do it, though. The Browns wanted to make this trade hurt for the Rams in return for Garrett, so Los Angeles had to throw in Verse as well.
Perhaps he was looked at as a “sweetener” of sorts for the deal, but he’s one heck of a sweetener.
And on Wednesday, he made it clear to the media surrounding him in Cleveland that he’s not approaching this trade like the Browns got him to replace Garrett. Instead, he’s going to give the Browns the best version of himself.
To be fair, the best version of himself could very well be the next Garrett, so there’s that to consider.
Jared Verse discusses expectations after Myles Garrett trade
“I’m not here to fill [Garrett’s] shoes,” Verse said after his first practice in Cleveland, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. “I’m here to bring my own … I’m here to work, and I’m here to be the best version of me. And the best version of me is going to be the best defensive player in the league. And the best defensive player in the league is going to play for the best defense in the league.”
The Rams had selected Verse out of Florida State with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. In year one, he was the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after totaling 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended and 12 stuffs.
He followed that awesome rookie season up with a sophomore campaign that saw him notch 58 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one pass defended and 9.5 stuffs.
Verse is already one of the best young defensive players in the league. There will undoubtedly be an adjustment period for him. He just went from playing for a perennial Super Bowl contender to a franchise that is much more comfortable picking in the Top 5 of any respective NFL Draft.
Verse is a native of Dayton, Ohio, though, so this will be a homecoming of sorts for him. He’s also been preparing all offseason to have a monster 2026.
“They’re not going to get a half-finished product or something you got to work on,” Verse said of his fit in Cleveland. “This is going to be the best version of me. Everything I’ve done this offseason, it’s going to be great.”