The June 1 trade sending reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams reshuffled the pass rush depth of two divisions. To secure Garrett, the Rams shipped 25-year-old defensive end Jared Verse to the Cleveland Browns. The transaction packaged Verse alongside a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick, as confirmed by an NFL Network trade breakdown.
Now, weeks after the move to the AFC North, new details have surfaced regarding Verse’s final moments in the Rams facility. During a June 16 appearance on the Browns’ “Best Podcast Available” with senior broadcaster Nathan Zegura, Verse explained his exact reaction after hearing the news from head coach Sean McVay.
Verse stated his immediate priority was to speak with the locker room directly. He wanted to address his teammates before the transaction leaked to television networks, according to a Yardbarker report detailing his exit timeline and his enduring rivalry with Seattle. Verse noted he views himself as a team leader and refused to leave his defensive brothers behind without a proper goodbye.
On his way out the door, the two-time Pro Bowler left the Los Angeles roster with one specific directive. Verse told the Rams that he still expects them to beat the Seattle Seahawks every single time they play. The lingering hostility toward Seattle highlights how deeply ingrained the NFC West divisional hatred became during his tenure in California.
Verse now transitions to a completely different defensive scheme. The Browns are relying on him to become the new anchor of their pass rush under defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg as they prepare for the 2026 season.