The Cleveland Browns added some new talent to the team over the week, as they acquired Jared Verse from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Myles Garrett. Verse is excited to be with his new team, and from the first day of arriving, he wanted to make sure that he was able to wear his No. 8.
The only person standing in his way was Dillon Gabriel, who was originally wearing the number. They both wore No. 8 this week at OTAs, but it looks like it will be Verse who gets the jersey for the season, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
“My understanding is that they’re waiting on the NFL’s approval for Dillon Gabriel to change his number,” Garafolo said on Good Morning Football. “They’re in the process of that happening. I don’t know the details of the exchange, what Verse gave Gabriel, or any of that stuff, but it sounds like Verse is going to have No. 8, and Gabriel will make the switch once he’s approved.”
From @gmfb: The Jared Verse-Dillon Gabriel jersey situation apparently isn’t a standoff for No. 8. The #Browns are waiting for NFL approval for Gabriel to change his number. pic.twitter.com/9HFoBOCzLz
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 5, 2026
The GMFB crew was confused for a minute after realizing that the NFL had to approve the jersey number, but Garafolo noted that this was the process for any jersey number switch. Apparently, the player has to purchase all the old apparel that’s still out there in order to get a jersey switch approved.
The good news for Verse is that he’ll be able to get his number, but it’s uncertain what number Gabriel will wear. Hopefully, that gives Verse the comfort to be his best self for his new team, and he showed during his time with the Rams that he could be disruptive coming off the edge.
He’ll have some big shoes to fill, especially with what Garrett brought to the defense, but he has the chance to make a difference the way he wants to.
The Cleveland Browns added some new talent to the team over the week, as they acquired Jared Verse from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Myles Garrett. Verse is excited to be with his new team, and from the first day of arriving, he wanted to make sure that he was able to wear his No. 8.
