Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Jared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before the game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The “beef” between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers is about to turn up to another level this coming season, with the two teams set to play the NFL’s first-ever game in Australia, and Jared Verse is all for it.
Verse has additional incentive to get the victory, but believes the historic setting offers even more motivation for both sides.
He shared a clear message to that effect.
Jared Verse Sends Clear Message About 49ers Game in Australia
Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
GettyJared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before the game against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Like some of his Rams teammates, namely Puka Nacua, Verse has a competitive hatred for the 49ers, one of LA’s NFC West rivals. Verse was clear that he has “respect” for the Niners, but he also looks forward to the matchups because of his ties to their team.
“I respect the team that they have, I respect the O-linemen, I respect the scheme that they run, the people that they have on their roster,” Verse told Jim Rome on “The Jim Rome Show” on April 10. “But I hate San Francisco at the same time because of this: Two of my teammates from Florida State–Tatum Bethune and Renardo Green–both play defense for them.
“We take things really serious. So, whenever we play them, it’s like the biggest beef. We don’t say, ‘Hi’ to each other pre-game. We’re talking trash to each other. There’s no dap-ups, there’s no high-fives, there’s nothing like that. They walk by me, I walk by them. So, now we gotta go all the way to Australia to do this, it’s gonna be even a higher level. Because now, when we beat them, I can say, ‘I’m beating your A outside the country, too. It don’t even gotta just be in LA, in San Francisco; I can beat you anywhere we go.”
Verse, the 19th overall pick of the 2024 draft–a two-time Pro Bowler and a former Defensive Rookie of the Year–is 3-1 against the 49ers and his former Seminole teammates.
He lost against them for the first time this past season in overtime in Week 5.
Nacua’s take was more direct. The Pro Bowler acknowledged that he does not “like the color red either,” but that he does “like Fred Warner” in an interview with “The Arena: Gridiron” in February.
Roger Goodell Responds to 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Over Rams Game Remarks
Kyle Shanahan, Los Angeles Rams
GettySan Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan looks on after a loss against the Los Angeles Rams.
Nacua and Verse are not the only ones adding intrigue well ahead of the Rams’ season-opening contest against the 49ers. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell pushed back on 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s remarks about the time consequences of traveling to Australia.
During an interview with “Pro Football Talk” in March, Shanahan said, “Don’t get me started.”
“I think I’m gonna take a 19-hour nap on the plane ride out there. And I think when you get there, I’m like two days older. When we come back, I think it’s like going in a time machine.”
Goodell chuckled when asked about Shanahan’s comments, telling reporters on the ground in Australia on April 10 [April 11 locally], “The coaches have a focus on winning. That’s their No. 1 job. And so, Coach Shanahan is enthusiastic and a great football coach, but also someone who truly understands the importance of expanding our game globally. But his job is to win. His job is to play. And I always say, coaches like to play at 1 o’clock and 4 o’clock, and don’t get in the way of that.
“I have an app for him, which I’m going to send to him,” Goodell said. “My wife hooked me up with an app, and I gotta tell you, I feel great. I have not felt any jetlag at all. We’ve been here since Tuesday morning, and I felt it was a relatively easy trip.”
NFL Focused on ‘Great Experience’ in Australia
Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
GettyJared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before facing the Philadelphia Eagles.
Shanahan notably shaded his counterpart, Sean McVay, and the Rams, arguing that they requested this matchup to avoid losing home-field advantage as a part of his gripe.
In unrelated but still-fitting remarks, Goodell said they “have focused on making it a great experience for everyone in the team, including when they go back. They got to make sure that they’re able to continue the competitiveness.
“This game is real, this counts, and they’ll go on to Week 2 as soon as they leave here.”
Verse sounds as though he and the Rams are ready to do their part in making the most of the experience against the 49ers in Australia.