With everything else that was attached to the Cleveland Browns’ home opener on Sunday, it was easy to forget that it was the regular-season debut of newcomer Jared Verse in front of the home fans. As the de facto replacement for former favorite Myles Garrett, Verse has a lot to live up to in their eyes.
Though Verse may not be producing at Garrett’s level yet, they have to be happy with the results so far. Following a 21-18 win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Verse seems to be enjoying the way things are going too.
In the postgame locker room, Verse used three words to describe the Dawg Pound, saying, “That s*** loud.”
“I like it a lot. That felt like some league football. That was different. I like my house, I like the Dawg Pound, I’m liking a lot of stuff here,” Verse said.
I asked Browns newcomer Jared Verse what it felt like playing in front of the #DawgPound for the first time
“That sh*t loud!” @WOIOSports pic.twitter.com/8cPEh0pdlD
— Zach Keenan (@ZachKeenanTV) September 27, 2026
After putting aside its boos to cheer for quarterback Deshaun Watson during the comeback victory, the crowd also did what it could to help the defense, especially at key moments in the game. That proved to be vital as the Browns ended the Panthers’ final drive with an interception by Ronnie Hickman with nine seconds remaining.
Verse and the defense gave up the go-ahead touchdown earlier in the back-and-forth fourth quarter. But it had held the Panthers’ explosive offense to four field goals at that point, showing immense improvement from a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener.
After also making a late-game stand in their 23-19 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, the defense looks to be rounding into form under first-time coordinator Mike Rutenberg, even without Garrett and no sacks so far from Verse. But the defensive end is making sacrifices for his teammates, which has paid off in four sacks for defensive tackle Mason Graham, who had just one-half sack in 17 games last year as a rookie.
The fans did boo the offense after three straight three-and-outs in the second half, but by the end of the game, they were chanting Watson’s name. That shows how much they want the Browns to win, which Verse surely appreciated.
Now, they get another chance Thursday night to make a difference when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit Huntington Bank Field.
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