DE Jared Verse learns the most during losses. From reps during training camp that he wanted to lose while trying out new pass rush moves, to reviewing his film from Week 1 against the Jaguars, Verse takes each moment as an opportunity to grow his game.
Following his debut with the Browns in the loss against Jacksonville, Verse internally reflected on his performance. He knew that the game he played didn't meet his high standard. Verse is adjusting his play style entering Cleveland's Week 2 matchup against the Buccaneers, specifically when it comes to playing within the Browns' defensive scheme and handling different ways that offenses play him.
"I've learned so much from the game that we had last week," Verse said. "I've learned how I want to attack them, how I want to attack offensive linemen, how I want to attack these chips that come my way; running back chips, tight end chips, everything that comes with it."
As he continues to grow his understanding on how to excel in the Browns' defense, Verse could match up against T Tristan Wirfs in Week 2. Wirfs has been a Pro Bowler five times and has earned two AP First-Team All-Pro selections in his first six seasons in the NFL.
"He's one of those freaks of nature that you face every now and then," Verse said. "He's super strong, he's a big guy, he's powerful, but he's super athletic – especially for his size, he's super athletic. He can get out on you quick. If he gets his hands on you, you're in a tough situation. So, he's one of those freaks of nature. I put him in the same category as Trent Williams, Dion Dawkins, those types of guys, that they each have their skill set that is just very powerful."
Last season with the Rams, Verse had two sacks — his season-high in a game— while matched up against Wirfs. One came courtesy of a spin move towards the end of the second half on QB Baker Mayfield while the other was in the red zone when QB Teddy Bridgewater tried to maneuver to his left.
But as successful as he was in beating Wirfs last season, Verse understands that this year is different. Verse noted that both his and Wirfs' games have evolved, and while he has watched the tape from last season's game, he's prioritizing more recent film as preps for the matchup.
While he prepares to face Wirfs and continue growing within defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg's system, though, Verse is approaching the assignment with poise.
"Verse handles his business as a professional," DE Adin Huntington said. "I think he's preparing, as all of us are, making sure that we have our rush plan, making sure that we study up on our keys and just ready to do the job that they have us do."
Part of Verse's evolution is shifting his mindset, which he's doing entering Week 2 against Wirfs and the Buccaneers. He knows going into the matchup with the right frame of mind is critical.
"You can't go into the game with the same mindset of 'Oh, I got to go do this. I got to do that,'" Verse said. "You got to figure out how you got to attack the situation better, and I think we've done that. I think we've only spent three to four days since the game in Jacksonville, and now we got to get to Tampa. We got to go down there, the weather is going to be the same down there. The offense and their schemes are a little bit different, but however we got to get to it, we got to get back out there."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (67) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. (39) and Assistant Strength and Conditioning/Sports Science Coach Josh Christovich during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Austin Barber (58) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bub Means (81) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Obinna Eze (68) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Austin Barber (58) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Williams (54) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Eric Gray (41) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (67) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Messiah Swinson (84) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Eric Gray (41) and Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Kole Wilson (87) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Obinna Eze (68) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Line Coach George Warhop during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Analyst Travis Monken during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Messiah Swinson (84) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Quality Control Coach Ian Kolste during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Eric Gray (41) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Messiah Swinson (84) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Obinna Eze (68) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Director of Strength and Conditioning Larry Jackson during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Eric Gray (41) during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Monty Gibson during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Eric Gray (41) and Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Quarterbacks Coach Matt Baker during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Pass Game Coordinator Danny Breyer during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 16, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Eric Gray (41) during practice on September 17, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
