Jared Verse has no sacks despite being nine games into the season, using mental therapy to get over his obstacles as a star defender.
Jared Verse is managing his defensive struggles on the field with the Cleveland Browns through therapy.
In his first nine games in Cleveland, Verse has not sacked an opposing quarterback this season. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he is one of three players in the NFL who have at least 200 pass-rush snaps this season but have not recorded a sack. Verse said his on-field issues are mental, not physical.
“I think it was definitely a mental block,” Verse said, via ESPN. “I train my body every day to push myself to the limits of what I’m physically capable of doing. So I don’t think it was any issue with my body, but I think I’ve taken the steps to figure out what it was after meeting with a couple people and everything like that.”
“I haven’t played well at all this season,” Verse said. “I think I’ve taken a little bit of time looking at me, at what I could do better, because I think [the defensive line] goes how I go. That’s my mindset in anything I do.”
What lies ahead for Jared Verse, Browns
Jared Verse’s struggles might be concerning, but Browns coach Todd Monken isn’t giving up on him anytime soon.
“I think it’s too early to say anything,” Monken said, per ESPN. “I love the way Jared works every day since he’s come here, just like all of our guys; he loves to work. He likes being on the field and practicing. And I think it’s a matter of adapting to our style, which is — there are some things that aren’t as similar to what he was used to doing with the Rams and the attack style. And I think it’s just a matter of time before he really gets comfortable in what we’re doing defensively.
“And it’s unfair to compare him to Myles Garrett. I think that’s always been unfair. Myles is in an elite category of his own. That’s OK. I mean, that’s who he is. But we just need Jared to be the best version of Jared, and I think we’re going to continue to see growth there. And again, what will help us? Be ahead in games, force the other team to throw it, and I think you’ll start to see his sacks start to pile up.”
Cleveland has a 5-4 record this season, sitting at third place in the AFC North Division standings. They are above the Baltimore Ravens while trailing the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at the moment. In terms of the conference standings, they are in eighth place. They lead over the Las Vegas Raiders and the Ravens while being under the New England Patriots and the Bengals.
The Browns will look to bounce back in their next matchup, being at home. They host the Houston Texans in Week 10 as kickoff commences on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. ET.
Jared Verse is managing his defensive struggles on the field with the Cleveland Browns through therapy. In his first nine games in Cleveland, Verse has not sacked an opposing quarterback this season. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he is one of three players in the NFL who have at least 200 pass-rush snaps this season but have not recorded a sack.
