In 2025, Myles Garrett set the single-season sack record. Not many (if any) of his 23.0 sacks happened when the 5-12 Browns had a multi-score lead in the second half of a game.
With the Rams, Garrett should have plenty of chances to chase quarterbacks who are desperate to move the ball through the air late in a losing effort.
“That did play into the decision as well,” Garrett told reporters on Tuesday. “Knowing I’ll have the ability late in games to pin my ears back, not just because we need a play to be made, but because we have the lead and it’s obvious passing downs. Being able to make plays to win the game for us, those are things that appeal to me and I’m sure appeal to all of us as D-linemen. That is something I really look forward to.”
It should happen. The Rams have a great offense. The defense should be better in 2026. They should be in position, on a somewhat regular basis, to let Garrett turn himself loose in an effort to chase (and possibly pass) the record he set last year, in his final stint with the Browns.
Deion Sanders is interested in meeting with Browns head coach Todd Monken to discuss ways to get the most out of his son and Monken is on board with the plan.
Sanders said recently that he wants to talk to Monken “as a coach, not a dad” about Shedeur Sanders as the quarterback moves into his second NFL season. On Wednesday, Monken told reporters that he’s ready to have that conversation whenever it works for the Colorado head coach.
“I can’t wait,” Monken said, via multiple reporters. “I’ve got a lot of respect for coach Sanders, obviously as a player but also what he’s done as a coach. He’s done a great job with Shedeur as a father. I’m open to any time he wants to meet. He said he was going to come but he had a commercial. If he just tells me where the next commercial shoot is, I’ll be there. I really am looking forward to it. I’ve got a ton of respect for him and I’ve got a ton of respect for Shedeur because all he’s done since I’ve been here is work.”
The younger Sanders closed out last season as the starter in Cleveland, but Deshaun Watson’s return to active duty has led to a competition for the job in 2026. While it remains to be seen if his father/college coach’s insights will come in time to help him win that battle, it sounds like Monken will be hearing them at some point in the near future.
When the Rams traded for Myles Garrett, they sent one of their top young players to Cleveland as part of the deal.
The 2024 AP defensive rookie of the year, Jared Verse had been making a name for himself in Los Angeles. But now that he’s no longer with the club, the Rams are offering fans a little bit of consolation.
The Rams announced on Wednesday that the club is offering a free exchange for recently purchased Verse jerseys.
The announcement notes that if you purchased a Verse jersey in person at the team’s draft party or official team store since the club launched its new uniforms in April, you’re eligible to exchange that jersey for another one of your choice.
Additionally, if you purchased any Verse jersey in the past 90 days from ramsfanshop.com, nflshop.com, or fanatics.com, that jersey may also be exchanged for free.
Visit the Rams website for additional details on the exchange process.
Jared Verse practiced with the Browns for the first time on Wednesday and then met with the media to discuss the trade that brought him to Cleveland.
Verse came to the Browns along with a package of draft picks as part of the trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Rams. The 2024 first-round pick and defensive rookie of the year said that his initial response was not a positive one, but hearing how the Browns prioritized his addition has him feeling better about his change of circumstances.
“It caught me by surprise,” Verse said. “I love L.A. I love the coaches, the organization, my teammates, the staff, the fans. I love the whole vibe of L.A. It was upsetting. I was upset for a good little bit of time, but when you’re an athlete you understand the nature of business. Everybody does what they think is best for their business and that’s the situation that I’m in. I’m happy to be a part of the Browns. I’m happy that they believe in me and that they were able to make that trade and bring me here.”
Verse said that he’s not approaching the start of his Browns tenure with the mindset of replacing Myles Garrett. He said he is focused only on being “the best me” and believes that player will be the best player in the league.
If that’s how things play out, it will be hard for anyone in Cleveland to be upset about how things played out this week.
The Rams’ trade for pass rusher Myles Garrett included parting ways with pass rusher Jared Verse. It wasn’t easy for the Rams to do it.
“Sometimes we have to be able to make decisions that are best for the collective,” McVay told reporters on Tuesday. “This is what we thought was best for our team. Even though it affected somebody that’s been a significant part in a negative way that we do love. But really it was a football decision and that’s what guides our overall approach and our compass, if you will.”
McVay said he spoke with Verse before the trade happened.
“We talked to him about the appreciation, the gratitude,” McVay said. “I think when you have to have those hard conversations, you just let him know. ‘We just executed a trade where we’re acquiring Myles Garrett and you’re going to Cleveland. I know it doesn’t feel great right now, but there’s a lot of love. There’s a lot of appreciation and gratitude for our relationship, the two years and the impact that you’ve made. I can’t wait to watch you go shine in Cleveland.’
“But I will say this, what a stud with the way that he handled it. I don’t want to say that I was surprised, but I was so impressed. When [my sons] eventually go through a challenging conversation, I hope they handle it the way that Jared Verse did. I’m a big fan of his. I know you guys know that. I’ll wish him the best and watch him do his thing but we are really excited, with respect to Jared, about being able to get this guy. It’s a big deal for us.”
The transaction underscores the reality that teams will always do what’s best for them. Players, when they have the ability to do so, should always do the same.
Verse didn’t really have any options. He was drafted by the Rams, and no rookie contract includes a no-trade clause. If the team decides to make a deal, the player has to follow his contract, with the only option being retirement.
If Verse continues to be a Pro Bowl talent, he’ll eventually have the kind of power that Garrett now enjoys. For now, Verse (like the vast majority of players) is a piece in a machine that can be removed at any time, with or without notice — and regardless of whether he wanted that outcome.
