The Cleveland Browns made one of the NFL's biggest offseason moves when they traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, acquiring a package headlined by young defensive end Jared Verse. Eight games into the season, the former first-round pick is still searching for his first sack with his new team.
Verse addressed his disappointing production in an appearance shared by ESPN Cleveland, suggesting the Browns haven't consistently faced enough third-and-long situations to create opportunities for him to generate the statistics expected of a premier pass rusher.
"I think attention has been focused on me not doing enough on this aspect, that aspect," Verse said. "I don't think we've been getting enough 3rd and longs to put myself in the position
to get the stats."
His explanation adds another layer to a developing storyline in Cleveland, where the Browns have continued to find ways to win despite receiving limited pass-rushing production from one of their most important offseason acquisitions.
“I think attention has been focused on me not doing enough on this aspect, that aspect, I don’t think think we’ve been getting enough 3rd and longs to put myself in the position to get the stats,” Jared Verse on his lack of production this season. pic.twitter.com/0T8eD5RAOb
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) November 5, 2026
Jared Verse's production remains a concern
Verse entered the season with significant expectations following two productive years with the Rams. The former Florida State standout registered 4.5 sacks as a rookie in 2024 before improving to 7.5 sacks during the 2025 regular season, establishing himself as one of the league's promising young defensive players.
His transition to Cleveland has been considerably more difficult.
Through eight games, Verse has recorded 18 combined tackles without a sack, according to NFL statistics. His pressure production has also declined, with reports indicating he has generated 13 pressures after producing 40 through the same point last season.
The drop in production has attracted additional attention because of the circumstances surrounding his arrival. Cleveland moved Garrett, one of the NFL's most dominant defensive players, in a deal designed to bring back young talent and draft capital. Although Verse was never expected to duplicate Garrett's production immediately, his inability to consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks has become difficult to overlook.
Verse's explanation about third-and-long situations has some merit from a pass-rushing perspective. Defensive ends generally have greater opportunities to attack quarterbacks when offenses face obvious passing situations, rather than worrying about defending the run or maintaining responsibilities against play-action.
Still, those opportunities alone don't explain the difference in his production, and the Browns need their young defensive end to generate pressure regardless of down and distance.
Todd Monken remains confident in Verse
Browns head coach Todd Monken has acknowledged the concerns while emphasizing that Verse is still adjusting to Cleveland's defensive system.
Speaking earlier this week, Monken praised Verse's work ethic and suggested that the transition from Los Angeles to Cleveland has required adjustments to his approach. The coaching staff remains confident that his production will improve as he becomes more comfortable with his responsibilities.
Monken also cautioned against comparing Verse directly to Garrett, emphasizing that the Browns need the former Rams standout to develop into the best version of himself.
That distinction is important, but it does not eliminate the expectations surrounding Verse. Cleveland acquired him as a foundational piece of its defense, and the franchise needs tangible production from a player expected to help lead its pass rush for years to come.
The Browns have shown they can remain competitive without major statistical contributions from Verse, but his continued struggles could matter more as the season progresses.
For Verse, the challenge is turning the explanation into results. Whether Cleveland creates more favorable third-down opportunities or adjusts how it deploys its pass rush, the Browns need their young defensive end to start making the impact that made him such a valuable part of the Garrett trade.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns' Jared Verse explains lack of sacks after eight games
