Leadership is usually seen as a strength in a young locker room. Players who set the tone, hold teammates accountable and do the dirty work help build a team’s identity. Sometimes, though, a player is so focused on the bigger picture that his own production suffers. One Cleveland film analyst believes that is part of what is happening with the Browns’ top edge rusher.
Lance Reisland broke down Jared Verse’s play with Daryl Ruiter on 92.3 The Fan after Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and believes Jared Verse needs to be more selfish with his play.
“He’s almost taken his leadership tendencies almost too much, in my opinion. He’s gotta start being a little bit more selfish. I don’t mean selfish where he’s not doing what he does because he’s a great teammate. But like, ‘Hey, third down and 12, I’m getting after it. This is my time to eat.’ We always tell our players, ‘Take care of yourself first, then worry about your teammates.’ I think it’s just the idea. There has been a huge transition. He’s trying to do a lot of really good things. He’s trying to be a good leader. For me, he’s gotta become a little bit more selfish,” Reisland said.
"He's gotta start being a little bit more selfish…like, 'hey, third down and 12, I'm getting after it. This is my time to eat.' I think it's just the idea, there has been a huge transition."
➡️ @LanceReisland and @RuiterWrongFAN take another look at the #Browns loss to the… pic.twitter.com/wfQxc74EfY
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) November 3, 2026
Reisland’s point is not a criticism of Verse’s effort. Verse has done plenty of what his coaches ask, from setting the edge against the run to drawing double teams that free up teammates.
The problem is the finish. Through 8 games, Verse has no sacks, 6 quarterback hits and 5 tackles for loss. For a player who won Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Rams and made 2 Pro Bowls, that is a long way from his usual production.
The 3rd-and-12 example matters. Those are the snaps where the offense has to throw and a pass rusher can pin his ears back without worrying about the run.
Verse played as a stand-up outside linebacker in Los Angeles before the Myles Garrett trade brought him to Cleveland, and Todd Monken said this week that he is still adjusting to the Browns’ scheme.
Leadership has been part of Verse’s first season too. He has praised teammates like Carson Schwesinger, spoken up for the defense and stood by his comments about the Steelers even after Sunday’s loss.
Their blitz rate ranks among the lowest in the league, so they need their best edge rusher to win his matchups. The pass rush has also cooled, with just 1 sack in each of the last 2 games.
Verse turns 26 today, and the Browns visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. A first sack in a Browns uniform would be a fitting place to start.
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