Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) greets Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) after their 2025 NFC divisional-round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Rams' Jared Verse addresses trash talk with Eagles after divisional-round loss

By Conor Killmurray | Last updated Jan 20, 2025 12:01 AM ET

Rookie linebacker Jared Verse made headlines ahead of the Los Angeles Rams divisional-round playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles by making his disdain for the Eagles fan base publicly known. But with the Rams losing 28-22, Verse had to address his trash talk after the game.

"I like hostile environments. That don't mean nothing to me," Verse told reporters after the game. "It doesn't faze me; it hypes me up more than anything."

Earlier in the week, Verse told the Los Angeles Times that he hates Eagles fans. Just seeing their green and white jerseys gets the Pennsylvania native fired up. Of course, Verse's comments quickly became prime bulletin board material and added extra fuel to a tense divisional-round playoff game.

During pre-game warmups on Sunday, Verse made sure to get the attention of Eagles fans in the stadium and even had some words with defensive lineman Jalen Carter.

Give him credit. #Rams’ Jared Verse did a lap and said hello to his not-so-adoring #Eagles fans. pic.twitter.com/8LaPT2o14K
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 19, 2025

According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, Carter told Verse his trash talk was just fuel for the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Verse responded, "I'll take that 77 for next round," a reference to the $77,000 each player receives for getting to the conference championship game, Garafolo explained.

Verse won't be seeing any of that NFC Championship money as the Rams season is now over, but to his credit, he was able to analyze his performance and give credit to the Eagles' effort.

Verse said that while he felt good about his play Sunday, he could've still played better. He broke down how he could've filled the gap better to try and prevent running back Saquon Barkley's massive 78-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Still, the Florida State University alum came up big for the Rams and helped keep them in the game all the way to the end.

VERSE AGAIN! The @RamsNFL end the half with another sack.

: #LARvsPHI on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/IVNHHrZ6E1
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025

As the front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, he did have a good game for his first appearance in a divisional-round playoff game. According to ESPN, Verse recorded two sacks and three tackles for a loss of yards.

The rookie certainly thrived in the hostile environment, and even though the Rams aren't happy with their season coming to an end, they should be happy that they have a superstar game wrecker on their team as a key building block for next season.

Conor Killmurray

Conor Killmurray is a long-suffering fan of New York sports, particularly the Giants and Mets—a potent combination for heartbreak, if you ask him. He graduated from West Chester University with a degree in English and enjoys searching for the most interesting sports stories to write about.

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