Browns coach reacts to Jared Verse meeting with team psychologist to help with mental block

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Jared Verse revealed that he met with the team psychologist to help him deal with what he referred to as "a mental block" amid a season that has seen the 26-year-old tally zero sacks. 

Later in the day, Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg was asked about Verse's attempts to fix what has been ailing him since Week 1. 

Browns are "really proud" of Jared Verse for his off-the-field efforts

"I’m really proud of Jared for his approach, for his attitude, the way he’s working with his teammates and our D-line coaching staff to help himself get to where he wants to go," Rutenberg said, per the Browns' website.

The Los Angeles Rams selected Verse in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he later earned Defensive Rookie of the Year Award honors. Over the first 34 regular-season games of his career, he recorded 12 sacks. He then joined the Browns this past spring via the trade that involved two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett joining the Rams. 

"I don’t look at it as how close he is," Rutenberg responded when asked whether Verse is "close" to being what he was for Los Angeles. "I know he is that player, and he’ll continue to work. He’s working on it in practice. He’s constantly working and studying film. It’s not how close he is. It’s just him continuing to do what’s best for him to get himself to where he wants to play, and us helping him as much as humanly possible." 

Browns helping Jared Verse figure things out is a "day-to-day process"

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi shared that Verse is one of three players who have at least 200 pass-rush snaps this season but have not yet recorded a sack. On Thursday, Rutenberg was asked what the coaches are doing to give Verse "better opportunities" to get to quarterbacks. 

"As a coaching staff and from [head coach Todd Monken] down to the defensive staff, we’re always trying to get all of our players in the best positions, and we’re always looking schematically, technically to see where we can get all of our players," Rutenberg said. "...So, that’s just a constant day-to-day process. Obviously, it has to do with the opponent and what we think they’re doing or what we think they’re going to do to us. And then, how can we get our players in that best position to be successful by situation as well?"

Verse will attempt to make things difficult for quarterback C.J. Stroud when the Browns host the 3-5 Houston Texans this coming Sunday. As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Cleveland as a 4.5-point home underdog for that game.