Jared Verse
Getty
LA Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse
The Los Angeles Rams won their season opener against the Houston Texans, thanks to a strong defensive performance, winning the game 14-9. The defense held Texans’ QB CJ Stroud to under 200 passing yards and without a touchdown pass.
The defense was quite effective in the Week 1 matchup, sacking Stroud three and registering 6 hits on the quarterback. Linebacker Nate Landman was able to punch the ball out in the fourth quarter with less than two minutes to go, with defensive end Braden Fiske getting the fumble recovery, which helped seal the win for Los Angeles.
While the defense was able to do its part, the main members of the defensive line didn’t have their best performances.
EDGE rusher Jared Verse, who won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award last season, didn’t record a sack in the game, only recording 4 pressures and a hit on the QB.
A reporter asked Verse about his performance in Week 1, saying that the defender looked frustrated in the season opener.
“I wasn’t frustrated for myself, I was more frustrated for my team,” Verse said. “I know they expect more of me. I know they expect more of me when I do have my opportunities to get my one-on-ones… my teammates expect me to win.”
“Sometimes when that plan doesn’t go down the way you want it to, I kind of got to just move on to the next play. But, I feel like I let down my teammates when stuff like that happens.”
Pro Football Focus graded Verse as the 8th best pass rush grade in Week 1, with an 83.2 grade. Verse currently has a 90.2 overall grade through the first game of the 2025-26 season.
Jared Verse On Making Improvements
Jared Verse
GettyLos Angeles Rams EDGE rusher Jared Verse (center)
Before the start of the season, Jared Verse said that he expects to get more sacks in his sophomore season and expand his skill set on The Rich Eisen Show.
The DROY wasn’t able to record his first sack of the season, with Verse crediting the Texans’ gameplay on him.
“I can do a couple more things. I can tighten up a little bit, I can play with my alignment a little bit better, I can rush a bit faster,” the DROY said. “I think that’s something I need, kind of a little example.”Like I said before, when I do get my one-on-one opportunities, I have to take full advantage of them.”
The EDGE rusher said that he was still learning himself in his rookie season, giving an example that he was working more on a speed rush in the middle of the season.
Training to become a complete pass rusher, Verse can expand his game when he finds himself double-teamed. The player found himself double-teamed on 31.4% of plays in the season opener.
Looking To Week 2
Cam Ward
Getty ImagesTennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward
The Rams will attempt to begin the 2025-26 season with a two-game win streak, as they take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 2.
Jared Verse could get his first sack of the season against quarterback Cam Ward, as the Titans gave up 6 sacks in their season opener against the Denver Broncos.
“That’s the number one pick,” Verse said. “He’s the number one pick for a reason. It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie quarterback, a vet quarterback; it’s all the same. I’m going to treat you the exact same. It doesn’t change anything in my preparation.”
With his preparations for Week 2, Jared Verse could look to return to the Pro Bowl level he had last season.