The Cleveland Browns made a major shake-up this offseason when they traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. In exchange, the Browns received draft picks and pass rusher Jared Verse.
Verse has big shoes to fill as he attempts to replace the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Cleveland. It’s early in camp, but Verse is already showing he can be a leader on this defense, according to Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire.
“When I first met Jared, that’s the first thing he told me. He said, ‘I just want to be a leader, I want to bring guys up with me, intentionally elevate the guy next to me.’ And he’s hit the ground running with that. He gets the defense riled up, talks junk to the offense, and it gets them going too. So, that leadership profile that we all know this team needs defensively is really showing out right now,” Cesaire said.
It’s not going to be easy to replace Garrett on this defense. The nine-year veteran won two Defensive Player of the Year awards and was selected to seven Pro Bowls in Cleveland. Garrett was the anchor of this defense, and his presence is going to be missed.
It’s unlikely that Verse is going to be the level of player that Garrett was in Cleveland. However, Verse is already stepping up and showing that he can replace Garrett as the leader of this defense. The 25-year-old isn’t a veteran in this league, but that’s not going to stop him from being a leader.
Every defense needs a leader to help rally the troops when times get tough. Verse is new to Cleveland, but he’s not going to let that stop him from taking charge. This is a young defensive group that needs someone to step up and take over the voice on defense.
Over his first two seasons, Verse has recorded 124 tackles, 12.0 sacks, and five fumbles forced in 34 games with the Rams. He earned himself two Pro Bowl selections with his performances during those seasons. Verse is a solid player who could quickly become a fan favorite on this team.
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