The Cleveland Browns are heading into a huge matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. Both teams sit at 5-2 and are tied for the best record in the AFC North heading into Sunday’s game.
Recently, Browns defensive end Jared Verse talked about the upcoming matchup with the Steelers. He expressed confidence and claimed that he’s not worried about anyone on the Steelers roster.
Analyst Tony Rizzo was not a fan of Verse talking trash ahead of their matchup against the Steelers.
“How about you block and tackle on the field? You don’t have to be talking b***s***. You know who’s gonna decide this game? Deshaun and Aaron Rodgers, with all due respect. I don’t like it. I don’t think you need it. I think the game is big enough on its own. It’s for first place. It’s for you to be 6-2. It’s for you to be 3-0 in your division. It’s for you to end 0-23 streak in their building. Isn’t that enough? Do you really need to talk s**t? Come on,” Rizzo said.
"I don't like it, I don't think you need it," – Rizz on Jared Verse's trash talk to the Steelers. https://t.co/Tnn5TuI2ZT pic.twitter.com/GIPbeZD4Pg
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 30, 2026
It’s one thing to have confidence, but Verse hasn’t exactly played well enough to talk trash about his opposing teams. Through seven games, Verse has recorded 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, and zero sacks. He finished with two tackles and one tackle for loss during the first meeting with the Steelers.
So far, Verse is not putting up the numbers the Browns hoped that he would, but there’s still plenty of time. It’s not a good look for him to talk trash to his opponent when he really hasn’t done anything on the field himself. He’s a confident player, which is great, but now he needs to go out there and play at a high level this Sunday.
This is the first time that the Browns have been a contender in quite some time. The players need to act like they’ve been there before and not be overly confident.
The Browns’ players need to keep their heads down and work hard to keep winning football games. Talking trash to the other team is only going to give them more fuel to prove you wrong.
As already mentioned, Verse has been basically a non-factor all season. He’s the last player who should be talking trash about other teams. It’s a bad look for Verse, and a bad look for the Browns organization as a whole unit.
The damage has already been done, so now Verse needs to perform on the field this Sunday.
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