Replacing a generational pass rusher is supposed to be one of the hardest jobs in football. Teams that lose a player of that caliber usually spend years trying to recreate the pressure he generated on his own, and the results rarely measure up. The Browns were expected to face that problem after trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. A month into the season, the numbers are telling a very different story.
Nick Gurol broke down a surprising stat, and the surprising fact is that the pass rush is actually better so far than when they had Garrett.
“Jared Verse has 0 sacks…and the Browns are top 5 in pressure rate (44%). That’s better than when they had Myles Garrett last year (37%),” Gurol wrote.
Jared Verse has 0 sacks…and the Browns are top 5 in pressure rate (44%). That's better than when they had Myles Garrett last year (37%). pic.twitter.com/OnT4vOG8RY
— Nick Gurol (@run_the_sims) October 4, 2026
That is the difference between relying on one player and spreading the rush across the entire front. When Garrett was here, offenses could commit extra blockers to him and take their chances elsewhere. This year’s group is much harder to account for.
Jared Verse is a big reason why, even without a sack to his name.
Every extra blocker sent his way leaves a teammate in a one-on-one matchup. The Browns took full advantage on Thursday, sacking Aaron Rodgers 5 times with 5 different players getting home.
Mason Graham has been the biggest beneficiary. The 2nd-year defensive tackle leads the team with 4 sacks and recorded one in each of the first 3 games.
Mike Rutenberg also deserves credit. In his first season running the defense, he has found ways to create pressure through scheme rather than leaning on a single star, a clear departure from a unit that revolved around Garrett for years.
The challenge now is sustaining it without Graham. He is expected to miss a few weeks with an MCL sprain and an ankle sprain, though there is hope he can return when the Baltimore Ravens visit on October 18. Without him, opponents may be able to shift even more attention toward Verse.
That makes the next 2 weeks an important test. A trip to face the New York Jets will show whether the pressure holds up with a thinner interior, and Lamar Jackson will be waiting after that.
Sacks will eventually come for Verse, and when they do, this pass rush could become even more dangerous. For now, the Browns are proving that life after Garrett does not have to mean a step back, and that may be the most surprising development of their 3-1 start.
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