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The Rams' Jared Verse still doesn't like Eagles fans but probably dislikes quarterbacks even more the way he attackes them relelentlessly. Just ask Jalen Hurts.
Ahead of the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles last January, linebacker Jared Verse stirred the pot with some of his comments. Specifically, he expressed his severe disdain for Eagles fans.
“I hate Eagles fans,” Verse told the L.A. Times. “They’re so annoying. I hate Eagles fans.”
Verse grew up in Pennsylvania and went to high school about 2.5 hours away from Lincoln Financial Field, so he’s familiar with the fans’ obession and passion for their beloved Birds. That’s probably part of what makes him dislike Eagles fans, but he does respect them.
In an interview with Whistle last year, Verse was asked which NFL team has the best opposing fan base. “Probably the Eagles. I’ve got to give them that. It’s just because I like when you kind of get into it, you’re aggressive, you’re loud. And they stand by that with no doubt…Playing the Eagles is like playing your rival in college because you never know what they’re going to say. And they’re going to try to say disrespectful stuff. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not going to say anything where it’s like, ‘Bro, you crossed the line.’ But they’re going to say something where you’re like, ‘Hey, who you talking to?’”
That disdain Verse has for the Philly faithful may have helped fuel his off-the hook game he had against the Birds in the Divisional round last year. H doesn’t have a sack yet this season, but don’t be fooled. The Los Angeles Rams’ second-year edge rusher might already be one of the most feared young defenders in the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles know that truth better than anyone.
Through two weeks, Verse has posted seven quarterback pressures and owns an elite 84.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranks him as the 10th-best player at his position. He’s also sporting a 24% pass-rush win rate, 12th-best in the league. For a 2024 first-round pick still just scratching the surface, that’s terrifying production.
The Night Verse Nearly Ended the Eagles’ Run
Back in January, Verse almost single-handedly wrecked the Eagles’ Super Bowl hopes. In the snowy NFC Divisional Playoff matchup at Lincoln Financial Field, the rookie racked up two sacks, four tackles, three tackles for loss and lived in Jalen Hurts’ face all night.
Philadelphia survived and advanced, but only after withstanding the kind of defensive assault that could have ended its season right there in the January snow. Hurts and the offensive line had no answers for Verse’s relentless motor. He made life miserable for the Eagles passing attack, forcing hurried throws, collapsing pockets, and nearly ending Philadelphia’s eventual championship run.
It was a chilling preview of what one of last season’s top rookies is capable of.
A Dangerous Man
Former Rams linebacker Cameron Lynch says Verse is exactly the type of player offensive coordinators and quarterbacks lose sleep over.
“Jared Verse, his motor, you look at some of his stats, he didn’t have 19.5 sacks last year as a rookie,” Lynch said, during a recent appearance onThe Between The Hashmarks Podcast with senior NFL writers Matt Lombardo and Mike Tanier. “But his pressure rate ranked him a top-50 NFL player in the league right now, according to Pro Football Focus. As a rookie, that’s a lot to say.”
The numbers back it up. Even without a sack so far in 2025, Verse is consistently winning reps and dictating matchups. Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and Hurts will once again need a plan to contain him when the Rams visit South Philadelphia on Sunday because if last year proved anything, it’s that failing to account for Verse can wreck an offense in a hurry.
The New Torchbearer
Inside the Rams’ building, Verse has already earned comparisons to the league’s best pass rushers.
“Jared Verse coming in reminds me, with this motor, of a Nick Bosa,” Lynch said. “Or one of the Bosa brothers, with their motors. No matter where the quarterback is, they’re going to use a straight line against the quarterback. When teams game plan for Jared Verse, they’re going to have to chip him, because he’s the talk of the town when it comes to the Rams.”
Head coach Sean McVay sees it too. He praised Verse’s “controlled aggression” during camp, noting that his edge both in temperament and play style is what sets him apart. Verse trained with Aaron Donald, and Lynch believes he has the chance to carry the Rams’ defensive tradition forward for the next decade.
“Jared Verse has the opportunity to be one of the best defensive players in the league for the next five to ten years,” Lynch said.
Chapter and Verse
For all of Los Angeles’ young defensive talent, it’s Verse who’s quickly becoming the heartbeat of the Rams’ front. The Eagles learned firsthand just how disruptive he can be when everything is on the line. As Sunday’s contest looms, containing Verse won’t just be part of the game plan, it might decide whether the Eagles stay on top of the NFC. The Rams are 9-2 in their last 11 games but both losees cames at the hands of the Super Bowl champs.
For more on Jared Verse and the Rams, check out Matt Lombardo’s full breakdown on his Substack, Between The Hashmarks. Jared Verse Poised to Carry Rams’ Defensive Torch After Aaron Donald.