Browns defensive end Jared Verse is absolutely fuming after Sunday’s game, and it’s not just because of the cheap shot he took. Verse told reporters in Cleveland that he’s still deeply upset about Steelers guard Mason McCormick picking him up and throwing him to the ground. But what really set him off? The complete lack of reaction from his own teammates.
McCormick’s Dirty Play Had Verse Seeing Red
Look, when a player gets picked up and thrown down like that, it’s always going to spark some anger. Verse called McCormick’s move a “cheap shot” and didn’t pull any punches about how dangerous it was. He said, “To be quite honest with you, that was the play that made me really angry. I was already upset about the game, the way things were moving, but at that point it became deep.” He went on to say, “You’re doing dirty shit, you’re trying to sweep my legs out. That honestly could have put me in a position to not be able to finish the season, put me in a position to change my life in a very bad aspect, so that upset me.” That’s heavy, right? He’s talking about his career, his livelihood, potentially being on the line because of one play. You can feel the frustration practically boiling over in his words.
Teammate Silence? Unacceptable
But the real shocker, the thing that clearly hit Verse harder than McCormick’s tackle, was how his Browns brothers responded. Or rather, how they *didn’t* respond. Verse expected his teammates to have his back, to step up and react when one of their own was getting targeted with something so reckless. Instead? Crickets. He explicitly stated, “The lack of reaction by those around me had upset me a lot.” He understands they were “focused on the game and everything like that,” but clearly, he believes there are some things that transcend game focus. He even drew a stark contrast, recalling when a similar play happened to Derek Barnett on the next field goal: “I spazzed, I lost it. Because those are my brothers, those are my teammates, and when you do something like that to them, it upsets me deeply.” That’s the kind of passion you want to see for your guys. He went to bat for Barnett, but felt no one did the same for him.
This isn’t just about one play. It’s about team unity, about standing up for each other when things get dirty. Verse summed it up bluntly: “We have to get better.” That’s a powerful statement, and it’s clear he’s not just talking about the play on the field, but the bond in the locker room.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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