Why Browns fans shouldn't worry about Jared Verse after quiet start

1 month ago 15

The Cleveland Browns made the boldest move of the NFL offseason, sending Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse, along with first-, second-, and third-round draft picks.

Garrett landed on IR for the Rams after just one week. But Verse hasn't done much of anything for the Browns yet this season through two weeks. He has yet to even record a pressure through two games.

But it's too soon for Browns fans to panic. As ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi highlighted, this quiet start for Verse is only a "mirage," and not really what his production will be this season.

Jared Verse's slow start for Browns is only a 'mirage'

"The early surprise: Jared Verse has recorded zero pressures. The verdict: Mirage," Oyefusi writes. "It's not the start Verse had hoped for with his new team, but opportunities have been lacking for the two-time Pro Bowler."

The Browns edge rusher has not actually been able to play much for the Browns this season on pass-rushing downs. Week 1 was a complete anomaly, as the Jacksonville Jaguars blew out the Browns very quickly.

His best chance to make an impact came in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was quiet. However, this isn't something to worry about.

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As Oyefusi highlighted, "... his average get-off time through two games -- 0.77 seconds, according to NFL Next Gen Stats -- would be a career-best mark."

This isn't so much an issue with Verse's ability as a pass rusher, but rather the opportunities he's been given through the first two weeks of the season.

Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers could be Verse's opportunity to not only get his first pressure, but his first sack with his new team.

Verse still has a ton of upside, even if the statistics don't necessarily show it through two weeks. The Browns' new pass rusher has had a quiet start, but things could ramp up soon.

It's way too soon for any Browns fans to be panicking about Verse. He's only 25 years old and is just getting his career underway in a new uniform and scheme. His big moments will come.