The Cleveland Browns locker room has barely had time to breathe. On June 1, the Browns traded two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in one of the most shocking deals the league has seen in years. The move sent shockwaves across the NFL, leaving fans and analysts scrambling for answers. Now, Jared Verse is the man Cleveland is counting on to fill that void, and he already has something to say.
Jared Verse Sends Bold Message to Myles Garrett
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Speaking to reporters after his first practice with Cleveland on Wednesday, the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year admitted the blockbuster deal caught him completely off guard. Verse admitted he was initially upset when he first heard about the trade, but said he was left with two choices: work or give up, and he has never been a quitter.
That resolve showed at the podium. Verse made clear he has no interest in living in Garrett’s shadow.
“I’m not here to fill anyone’s shoes,” [Verse said](https://x.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/2062341527662182452?s=20). “Myles he’s a size 13, Nikes, whatever they are. I’m a size 13 and a half, size 14, Jordans. Like, everybody’s different.”
He added, “I’m not here to fill his shoes. That’s not my job, that’s not my description.”
“I’m Not Here To Fill His Shoes”: Browns LB Jared Verse Refuses to Chase Myles Garrett’s Legacy (Imagn Images)
Verse clarified that his job is to be the best version of himself, and if he achieves that, he believes he can become the best player in the league. It is a confident declaration from a player who has backed his words with production. He recorded 58 tackles, including 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles across 17 games during the 2025 season.
Browns GM Andrew Berry called him a former Defensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time Pro Bowler, describing him as a perfect DNA match for the team’s attacking front.
The Browns got exactly what they wanted, and Verse arrived ready to prove why.
Myles Garrett Sets NFL Sack Record Before Browns Trade
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Before the trade shook the NFL, Garrett was making history in Cleveland. He set the NFL single-season record with 23.0 sacks last season, cementing himself as one of the most dominant defenders the game has ever seen. That record made the trade even more staggering for fans.
The man breaking pass rushers in practice this week is now tasked with following that kind of production, even if he refuses to frame it that way. The Browns defense he is joining finished third in the NFL in opponent passing yards last season, fourth in total yards allowed, and 14th in points allowed per game.
The foundation is there. Whether Verse can build on it, and bring the same fear factor to opposing offenses, is the question Cleveland cannot stop asking.
Cleveland opens the 2026 regular season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13, then travels to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers the following week. The first major home test arrives on October 1, a Thursday night showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Amazon Prime Video. Verse will be front and center in all three. His debut against Jacksonville is where the answers start.