Replacing Myles Garrett, swiftly becoming an all-time pass-rushing great, is a task the Cleveland Browns are unlikely to accomplish.
Still, maintaining the team’s defensive prowess in the seasons to come could be in the realm of reality as the Browns’ roster boasts a historical first when it comes to its youthful talent.
Obtained in the Garrett trade with the Los Angeles Rams was Jared Verse, the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’ll join Cleveland linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year, making the Browns the first team to roster defensive rookies of the year from each of the last two seasons since the AP began awarding DROTY in 1967.
The closest such scenario came in 1980, when the Atlanta Falcons celebrated linebackers Al Richardson and Buddy Curry sharing the AP DROTY honor.
“Man, that boy can fly,” Verse, 25, said Wednesday during organized team activities, via Cleveland.com’s Ashley Bastock, of Schwesinger. “Nah, he can work. I like that a lot. I like knowing that with that behind me that I can — I don’t got much to worry about.
“I can play freely because I don’t have to worry if something gets by me. He’s going to be able to handle that. He’s going to be able to clean everything up. So no, that’s the exciting factor there.”
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