Talking before a game is easy. Backing it up on Sunday is what earns respect around the NFL, and players who do the first without the second rarely get a pass for long. That is especially true in a league where every comment is clipped, shared and replayed. For the Browns, one of their most outspoken players is now hearing it from a former star who is not holding back.
Leonard Fournette called out Jared Verse on the 4th and South podcast after Myles Garrett’s big return for the Los Angeles Rams.
“Jared Verse, where you been at? What you doing? [Myles Garrett’s] missed multiple games and Jared Verse, you ain’t do sh**. Once again, another young guy that feels entitled that he can speak his mind. Young fellas, take your time and take that media class seriously. Know when and when not to say certain things, because you’re embarrassing yourself. Mr. Verse, you’re embarrassing yourself. You cannot talk sh** like that and not be able to back it up. You said that Cleveland won this trade. Cleveland, trade that boy. Whatever you got for Jared Verse, get that sh** back. Reverse Uno card. Do something, because he out there bullsh**ting,” Fournette said.
“You’re embarrassing yourself, Mr. Verse.” 😳
Leonard Fournette had a message for Cleveland Browns edge rusher Jared Verse after Myles Garrett’s three-sack day for the Rams 👀#Browns #DawgPound #Rams #NFL pic.twitter.com/0BseHdoe2f
— 4th and South (@4thAndSouthPod) November 9, 2026
Garrett had been sidelined for several weeks before returning to practice last week, and he wasted no time once he was back on the field. The 2-time Defensive Player of the Year recorded 3 sacks in his first game back.
Verse’s numbers tell a much different story. Through 9 games with the Browns, he has 20 combined tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 6 quarterback hits, but no sacks and no forced fumbles. He had 2 assisted tackles and no quarterback hits in Sunday’s overtime loss in New Orleans.
That is a sharp drop from his time in Los Angeles. Verse was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, made 2 Pro Bowls and posted 12 sacks with 5 forced fumbles across his first 2 seasons.
Fournette’s real issue, though, is the talking. Verse was vocal about the Steelers before the Browns’ trip to Pittsburgh, stood by those comments after a 27-6 loss and later said he was frustrated his teammates did not have his back when Mason McCormick threw him to the ground.
Being confident is one thing. Putting a target on his own back while the sacks are not coming is another.
The trade suggestion is not going to happen, especially on deadline day. Verse is 26, still on his rookie deal and the centerpiece of the Garrett return.
The criticism will keep coming until the production does. Verse gets his next chance Sunday when the Browns host the Houston Texans.
NEXT: Insider Sees A Familiar QB Problem Looming For Browns
