Jared Verse Joins Browns, Stresses Individual Identity After Myles Garrett Trade

On Monday, the Cleveland Browns acquired defensive end Myles Garrett from the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade. The deal includes a 2029 draft pick that becomes a first-rounder if Garrett is later moved to another AFC North team, per ESPN and Cleveland.com. The trade reshapes both teams’ defensive lines.

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After the Monday trade, edge rusher Jared Verse arrived in Cleveland late Tuesday and participated in his first practice on Wednesday, wearing No. 8 and focusing on individual drills. The 24-hour turnaround highlights the Browns’ urgency to integrate him.

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• Jared Verse – 25-year-old edge rusher, 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, two-time Pro Bowler, selected 19th overall by the Rams in 2024.

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• Myles Garrett – Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end, traded from the Rams to the Browns in the Monday deal.

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• Todd Monken – Browns head coach, overseeing defensive integration.

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• Byron Young and Braden Fiske – Former Rams teammates who visited Verse after learning of the trade, offering personal support.

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Verse entered the NFL as the 19th overall pick in the 2024 draft. At 25, he earned 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and has two Pro Bowl selections. His first Browns practice involved only individual drills; he wears jersey No. 8.

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Head coach Todd Monken said Verse “fits us like a glove” and urged him to “just be yourself,” noting the team does not expect him to replace Garrett. Verse clarified he is not trying to fill Garrett’s shoes, describing his mindset as “time to work” and expressing confidence that the offseason preparation will produce his “best version.” Both emphasized Verse’s upside and the Browns’ commitment to his development.

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• “I'm not here to fill [Garrett's] shoes,” — Jared Verse, Browns edge rusher

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• “They're not going to get a half-finished product or something you got to work on,” — Jared Verse, on the Browns’ expectations

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• “This is going to be the best version of me. Everything I've done this offseason, it's going to be great.” — Jared Verse, on his personal goals

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• “He's going to fit us like a glove,” — Todd Monken, head coach

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Verse adds a proven pass-rusher as the Browns adjust to Garrett’s arrival. The swift integration signals a desire for defensive continuity and to exploit Verse’s upside for edge pressure. The conditional 2029 pick also provides strategic depth, potentially shaping future AFC North roster moves.

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