Browns HC Todd Monken Addresses Jared Verse Concern

The Cleveland Browns are 5-3 after falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-6 on Sunday.

While the offense was the main reason for the Browns' loss in Week 8, the Browns need to see more from Jared Verse. Cleveland received Verse as part of the trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. 

Verse showed promise with the Rams in 2025, recording 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Since coming to Cleveland, Verse has recorded 18 total tackles, no sacks, and six quarterback hits through the team's eight games. 

On Monday, Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked about Verse not making the same impact in Cleveland that he had with the Rams. Monken suggested that Verse needed time to acclimate to the Browns’ way of doing things, saying it was "too early" to make a judgment on the defensive end.

Monken likes the way Verse shows up to work. The Browns are asking Verse to play much differently than he did in Los Angeles. He believes that over time, Verse will become more comfortable with what Cleveland is asking him to do defensively.

Monken also added that it's not fair to compare Verse to Garrett, who was arguably the best defensive end in recent seasons. The Browns want Verse to be the best version of himself. 

How the Browns do on offense is another factor in Verse's dynamic with the team. Monken suggested that Cleveland needs to have more leads, forcing opposing teams to throw the ball. Those situations will allow Verse to rack up better sack statistics.

Per Pro Football Focus, Verse is graded as the No. 83 defensive end in the league before Week 9 

The addition of Garrett has not worked out the way the Rams hoped it would at this point in the season. The star defensive end did not play well in Los Angeles' season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. It was later discovered Garrett had a knee issue that required surgery, and he was placed on injured reserve. 

Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that Garrett is expected to return to practice this week. He's expected to be a big boost for the 4-4 Rams.

It's too early to know who won the trade between the Browns and Rams. While Verse isn't having his best season, there is plenty of time for him to turn things around