Jared Verse Has Already Changed the Vibe in Cleveland’s Locker Room, According to His DC

The Cleveland Browns didn’t just trade a superstar this offseason. They flipped the entire energy of their defense, and the early returns sound like something real.

Jared Verse arrived in Cleveland back in June as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. The initial reaction from Verse was frustration. He had built something in L.A. and didn’t want to leave. But after a few weeks, the 2024 first-round pick started seeing what Browns fans saw — a chance to build his own legacy, not just fill someone else’s shoes.

On Wednesday, Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg sat down with Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team and couldn’t stop talking about what he’s seen from Verse in the short time they’ve been together.

“I wish all the fans could see my first taste of him,” Rutenberg said. “All I wanted to do was just get around him because he was too genuinely excited. But we’re on the field and I hear this ‘That ain’t the standard!’ I turn back, and it’s Jared Verse. You can feel his energy and passion. All you have to do is turn on any Rams games and see how good he is.”

That part about Verse calling out the standard mid-practice — that’s the kind of stuff that makes defensive coordinators smile. It’s not just talent. It’s a dude who expects everyone around him to match his level, even in July.

Verse isn’t here to replace Myles Garrett

Let’s get something straight. Verse has said it himself. He’s not trying to be the next Myles Garrett. He’s trying to be the first Jared Verse. And that mentality is exactly why Rutenberg is already raving about his leadership.

“To feel his energy and to already witness his leadership, it’s going to be awesome for our defense,” Rutenberg added.

The Browns lost the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Garrett, who wanted out and got his wish. But they got back a 24-year-old edge rusher who had 11 sacks as a rookie and followed it up with a Pro Bowl appearance in Year 2. Verse is still ascending. He’s got that rare mix of raw power and bend off the edge that makes offensive tackles flinch.

And now, according to his new coordinator, he’s already setting a tone in the building. The Browns won’t ask Verse to be Garrett. They need him to be exactly what he is — a relentless, high-energy pass rusher who can lead by example and by voice.

Training camp hasn’t even started yet. But if Rutenberg’s early review is any indicator, the Verse era in Cleveland is off to a loud start. Literally.