BroBible
The Cleveland Browns have traded away star pass rusher Myles Garrett. In return, they received draft capital and former Rams edge defender Jared Verse.
Verse made his practice debut in Ohio on Wednesday. His presence immediately ignited discussion surrounding the future of quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Both players donned No. 8 jerseys during OTAs. It could be nothing. It could be a sign of what’s to come.
The former first-round pick out of Florida State is entering Year 3 in the NFL. Both of his previous seasons were spent in Los Angeles.
Verse will miss California. He admitted to being both shocked and upset about being traded for Myles Garrett.
#Browns Jared Verse admits he was upset when he was first learned he was traded here from the #Rams: pic.twitter.com/e3qyzRjzGZ
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 3, 2026
Despite the disappointment, he expressed excitement to get started in Cleveland. He made his debut this week and liked what he saw on the defensive side of the football.
Verse knows the Browns can be a winning team.
“You can tell how a team is by how they practice. It translates. That’s not a losing team out there.” #Browns LB Jared Verse on his impression of this team in the first practice pic.twitter.com/XbAp8HBLKq
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) June 3, 2026
Verse looks to help boost that unit, which ranked 14th in the league last year at 22.3 points allowed per game. He’ll bring proven production with him from the West Coast.
Verse is already a 2x Pro Bowler and Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’s amassed 12 sacks and 124 tackles across two seasons.
The linebacker does not intend to fill Myles Garrett’s shoes. He wants to be Jared Verse. He does not plan to change a thing with the move. That includes his jersey number.
#Browns new edge rusher Jared Verse, who will address the media after OTA No. 8 today, is wearing jersey No. 8. Dillon Gabriel is also still No. 8.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 3, 2026
One, of course, if Verse. He wore the same number with the Rams where he was aptly dubbed “V8.”
The other is Dillon Gabriel, a third-round passer fresh off his rookie year. NFL jersey rules do not allow for two players to wear the same number, even if they play on opposite sides of the ball. Something has to give.
There is an easy solution. Verse could ask for (or buy) the jersey number from Gabriel. It’s a very common occurrence. Verse could also switch his own number if Gabriel remains firm.
Then, there’s a third option. Gabriel is let go by the team. A narrative currently surrounds the passer’s future. Will he be traded? Will he be cut? Both options are reportedly on the table.
Gabriel is the third or fourth option in the QB room. Shedeur...
