Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Jared Verse says he isn’t trying to fill Myles Garrett’s shoes after the trade that sent Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. Verse’s message is simple: his job is to be “the best Jared,” not a replacement for what’s already been
The trade that moved Myles Garrett out of Cleveland and into the Los Angeles Rams sent shockwaves through the NFL, but Jared Verse’s reaction is different from what some fans might expect.
Verse, the centerpiece of the Browns’ return package, isn’t framing his new start as an attempt to replicate Garrett’s impact. In remarks shared via 92.3 The Fan on X, formerly Twitter, Verse said he watches Garrett’s film “every day,” then drew a clear line between admiration and imitation.
“Myles is a great player. I watch his film every day… I’m not here to fill his shoes. That’s not my job. That’s not in my description… my job is to be the best me. If I’m the best me. I’m not going to be Myles Garrett… I’m going to be the best Jared. and that’s going to be the best player in the league. ” Verse said.
Garrett’s departure reshapes the Browns’ defensive identity. and Verse’s arrival comes at a moment when Cleveland’s rebuild is no longer theoretical. The Browns have hired Todd Monken to replace Kevin Stefanski as their head coach this offseason. signaling a shift in direction that goes beyond one player.
The quarterback situation only adds pressure around how quickly Cleveland needs to find answers. No starter has been announced between Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson. With that uncertainty sitting at the center of the season. the Browns’ 2026 campaign is now set to begin in early September. carrying a different kind of urgency than a typical year.
In the middle of all that, Verse is being presented as the kind of young defensive star a rebuilding team can build around. He had established himself as a rising star on the Rams’ defensive line over the last couple of seasons before the Garrett trade.
The Browns’ next few months may ultimately hinge on how their offense settles and how quickly their quarterback plan clarifies. especially with the expectation that the 2027 class will be quarterback-rich. Verse didn’t talk about draft strategy. but the path many teams take during a rebuild is clear: lose enough to position for a premium pick.
For now, Verse’s focus is fixed on something more personal and more immediate. In the wake of the Myles Garrett trade—one of the NFL’s biggest defensive names moving away—Cleveland isn’t just getting a new player. It’s getting a mindset that insists the comparisons don’t have to decide the story.
Jared Verse Myles Garrett Cleveland Browns Los Angeles Rams Todd Monken Kevin Stefanski Shedeur Sanders Dillon Gabriel Deshaun Watson NFL trade 2026 season