This is pretty wild to think about.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Myles Garrett wasn't "universally loved" with the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland traded Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams and acquired Jared Verse, who may be a better leader than Myles, per Cabot.
"While Garrett was respected and revered by his teammates, he wasn’t necessarily universally loved," Cabot wrote. "And while he evolved as a leader over the years, he wasn’t the great unifier the Browns always hoped he’d be, often keeping to his tight inner circle away from team headquarters.
"Early indications are that Verse, who came to town with a wide smile, a big heart and open arms, will be more of a force multiplier and unifier than Garrett, who’s not as gregarious as Verse, the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year."
Cleveland went 54-79-1 in the Garrett era. Garrett finished his Browns career with 125.5 sacks, 293 solo tackles, 149 tackles for loss and 239 QB hits. He made seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams and won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Verse will now be tasked with turning the Browns franchise around. Verse, though, told reporters that he's not in Cleveland to replace Garrett, who is the best defender in the NFL.
Instead, Verse wants to create his own legacy with the Browns.
"I'm not here to fill [Garrett's] shoes," Verse said. "I'm here to bring my own ... I'm here to work, and I'm here to be the best version of me. And the best version of me is going to be the best defensive player in the league. And the best defensive player in the league is going to play for the best defense in the league."
Verse won the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award with the Rams. He enters next season with 12.0 sacks, 71 solo tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 45 QB hits.
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