Jared Verse 'upset' to leave Rams in Garrett trade but excited for Browns test

Addressing the media at the end of the session, he revealed how he initially felt "upset" upon learning that the Los Angeles Rams had traded him and future draft picks for reigning DPoY Myles Garrett.

Here's what Verse said about his new team and how he appears set to wrest the No. 8 jersey from one of the team's four quarterbacks.

Verse speaks out: "It caught me by surprise"

Verse began by discussing how he's always battled against the odds.

He then talked about the trade and was candid about how painful it was to leave the situation he had in LA.

"It caught me by surprise," he told reporters. "I loved L.A. I loved the coaches, the organisation, my teammates, you know, everybody a part of it.

"The staff, the fans, you know, I loved the whole vibe of L.A., Los Angeles Rams, you know, and it was upsetting. I was upset for, you know, a good little bit of time.

"But when you're an athlete, you understand the nature of the business. Everybody does what they think is best for their business and, you know, that's the situation I'm in.

"I'm happy to be part of the Browns. You know, I'm happy that they believed in me, and they were able to make that trade and bring me here," he added.

Nick Cammett / Stringer

Verse also praised his teammates and shared how the move has affected his mindset.

"I truly do believe in everybody in the locker room," he continued. "You got two choices that you can either work or you can give up, and I ain't ever been a quitter."

While Verse was brought in to replace at least some of Garrett's production, he stressed that he's not planning to "fill anyone's shoes."

Will Verse take Dillon Gabriel's #8 jersey?

No. 8 was Dillon Gabriel's number at Oregon, and the quarterback has worn the same number with the Browns since being selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The same jersey number was also Verse's in LA, and he seems intent on continuing that trend in Cleveland.

In Wednesday's session, both players wore No. 8, suggesting that Gabriel is destined for a change, though what that change entails remains to be seen.

It's a stretch to call the jersey situation a direct signal that he's on the way out, but with new head coach Todd Monken declaring on Wednesday that Cleveland has "two starting-level quarterbacks", Gabriel's future may lie elsewhere.

What Verse brings to Cleveland

Verse's 7.5 sacks in 2025 tied for 29th, which may suggest, to some, that his impact might be relatively modest.

But his 80 pressures, which ranked sixth among all edge rushers, are an indication that his sack total should improve.

His new coach and teammates appear happy with what they've seen so far.

"He's going to fit us like a glove," said Monken on Wednesday. "You wish you had unlimited time to meet with him and try to catch him up to speed, but just his willingness to get here, be here this morning, to get into meetings and be on the practice field, says a lot about him."

His teammate on the defensive line, Alexander Wright, was more direct, describing how the Browns "got an absolute dog" in Verse.

Replacing the Browns' all-time sack leader and the NFL's single-season sack record holder is no easy task, but Verse has the talent to write his own story in Cleveland.

If Verse shines, DT Mason Graham continues to ascend, and Carson Schwesinger builds on his Defensive Rookie of the Year season, the Browns' defense will be in good hands.