Jared Verse gold patch
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Los Angeles Rams pass rusher Jared Verse.
The NFL is adding a new twist to honor its brightest stars, and Los Angeles Rams pass rusher Jared Verse is among the first players who will showcase it next season.
Verse, who dominated in his rookie season and won the 2024 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award, will wear a special gold NFL patch on his jersey throughout the 2025 season. The patch, replacing the traditional NFL shield on the collar, represents the league’s decision to visibly celebrate major award winners from the prior season.
This unique recognition highlights Verse’s remarkable rookie campaign, where he established himself as a cornerstone of the Rams’ defense and one of the most formidable pass rushers in the NFL.
NFL Introduces Gold Patch Tradition
Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN reports that the five winners of the NFL’s most prestigious Associated Press award winners will wear a gold patch, which includes the NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Alongside Verse, the inaugural class of patch recipients includes Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (MVP), Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (OPOY), Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (DPOY), and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (OROY).
Verse will wear his patch in every game of the 2025 season, including the playoffs if the Rams qualify. The initiative is expected to continue annually, creating a new visual tradition for fans and players alike. Much like Major League Baseball’s gold logo rollout earlier this year, the NFL is leaning into the idea of adding permanent, visible recognition for excellence on the field.
The addition of the patch joins other NFL traditions, such as the gold captains’ patch honoring players who have been team captains for five-plus years and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award patch.
However, unlike the Walter Payton Man of the Year emblem, the gold patch is exclusive to the season immediately following the award.
Jared Verse’s Fast Rise with the Rams
For Verse, the gold patch is more than just a piece of fabric; it’s proof of his rapid rise in the NFL. Drafted in the first round by the Rams, the explosive edge rusher wasted no time making his presence felt. His rookie year was filled with dominant pass-rushing abilities, highlighted by his dominant performances against the Eagles both during the regular season and in the playoffs.
Winning Defensive Rookie of the Year placed Verse among elite company and set the tone for what could be a stellar career. Wearing the patch in 2025 will serve as a weekly reminder to opponents of what he accomplished, while motivating him to keep building on that foundation.
For Rams fans, Verse represents hope for sustained dominance in a post-Aaron Donald era. His intensity, production, and leadership potential make him the perfect candidate to carry the torch.
As the NFL kicks off the 2025 season, all eyes will be on the gold patches scattered across the league. And for the Rams, Jared Verse’s patch is a visual representation of what lies in store for the rest of his career.