Replacing Myles Garrett comes with modest expectations. Be disruptive. Terrify quarterbacks. Occasionally make an offensive tackle reconsider his career. And, if you have a spare moment, replace the production of the most accomplished pass rusher in Browns history.
That is the assignment Jared Verse inherited when Cleveland sent Garrett to the Rams in June for Verse and three draft picks. The picks represent tomorrow. Verse is the part of that return Browns fans get to evaluate every Sunday.
Through seven games, the number attracting the most attention is also the easiest to count: zero sacks. The Browns' official game log confirms it. For a player stepping into Garrett's spot, that zero is going to receive more airtime than some starting quarterbacks.
And yes, Garrett also has zero sacks this season. Before anyone prints the “Trade Won” shirts, context matters: Garrett has been sidelined since the opener following knee surgery. The Rams confirmed October 28 that his practice window would remain closed. Equal totals do not mean equal opportunities.
Three seasons, one increasingly impatient sack counter
To compare the same stretch of each season, here are Verse's first seven games played, followed by the remaining regular-season games. That distinction matters in 2024: the Rams' bye meant his seventh appearance came in Week 8.
| Season | Team | First 7 games: sacks | Remaining games: sacks | Season sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rams | 2.5 | 2.0 in 10 games | 4.5 |
| 2025 | Rams | 4.0 | 3.5 in 10 games | 7.5 |
| 2026 | Browns | 0.0 | 10 games remaining | 0.0 so far |
Sources: NFL.com game logs for 2024 and 2025, and the Browns' 2026 log. Remaining-game totals are calculated by subtraction. Playoffs are excluded.
The first thing that jumps out is straightforward: this is his slowest seven-game start in sacks. The second is more useful: his previous seasons do not support the comforting idea that he always saves a sack avalanche for the finish.
His rookie year was streaky. As Scott Petrak reported for BrownsZone, Verse went five early games without a sack and finished that regular season with eight straight sackless appearances. In between, he demonstrated why a drought does not settle the question of a player's ability. He still earned Defensive Rookie of the Year.
His second season offered a steadier version: 7.5 sacks, with no drought longer than three games, according to Petrak. That is the version Cleveland needs to see again. The 2026 edition has extended the suspense considerably. At some point, a suspense film has to reveal the monster.
Pressure is part of the answer. Finishing is the assignment.
Sacks do not capture every useful snap. A rush that forces a hurried throw can end a drive. Setting an edge can spoil a running play. Helping a teammate reach the quarterback still helps the defense, even when somebody else gets the celebratory graphic.
But that argument needs evidence, too. Petrak reported four quarterback hits and eight hurries through six games, citing Pro Football Focus, along with four tackles for loss against the run. Those are six-game figures, not updated seven-game totals. He also reported that Verse's overall disruption had declined from his Rams seasons.
So the fair assessment has room for both patience and criticism. Verse can contribute without collecting a sack. Cleveland still needs more consistent disruption and more finished plays from the centerpiece of its Garrett return. A sack is not the entire report card, but leaving that column blank makes the parent-teacher conference uncomfortable.
The voice is already here. There is time for the sacks.
Verse has brought a presence to the locker room. In July, the Browns documented his emerging leadership: greeting defensive teammates during stretches, helping rookie tackle Spencer Fano with technique, and speaking up in his new surroundings.
“My dad's always been a vocal person,” Verse said in that team feature, explaining where his willingness to speak up began.
His response to the sack drought also included accountability. “I got to work harder. I got to do more,” he told reporters, according to Petrak.
And his approach remains direct: “my mindset is just do my job,” he said in the same interview.
That is a useful message from a vocal leader: acknowledge the missing production, keep working, and stay connected to the team's success. It also leaves something measurable to watch over the final ten games.
There is still time for Verse to raise those sack numbers. His history shows that a quiet stretch can end, even if it offers no guarantee about when. The Browns have his voice. Now they need a few more quarterbacks to hear it from ground level.