Replacing a generational transfer is considered one of the most difficult tasks in football. Teams that lose a player of this caliber usually spend years trying to recover from the pressure he created on their own, and the results are rarely measured. The Browns were expected to face this problem after trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. A month into the season, the numbers tell a very different story.
Nick Gurol broke down a surprising stat, and the surprising fact is that the pass rush is actually better than when they had Garrett.
“Jared Verse has 0 sacks … and the Browns are 5th in pressure rate (44%). That’s better than they had last year with Myles Garrett (37%),” Gurol wrote.
Jared Verse has 0 sacks…and the Browns are top 5 in pressure rate (44%). That’s better than when they had Myles Garrett last year (37%). pic.twitter.com/OnT4vOG8RY
— Nick Gurol (@run_the_sims) October 4, 2026
It’s the difference between relying on one player and spreading the rush all over the front. When Garrett is here, offenses can throw extra blockers at him and take their chances elsewhere. This year’s group is more difficult to account for.
Jared Verse is a big reason why, even if he doesn’t have a sack to his name.
Each additional blocker leaves a teammate in a one-on-one matchup. The Browns took full advantage Thursday, hitting Aaron Rodgers 5 times with 5 different players.
Mason Graham has been the biggest beneficiary. The 2nd year defensive end leads the team with 4 sacks and has recorded one in each of the first 3 games.
Mike Rutenberg also deserves credit. In his first season on defense, he found ways to create pressure through the scheme rather than relying on a single star, a clear departure from the unit that revolved around Garrett for years.
The challenge now is to keep it going without Graham. He is expected to miss several weeks with a sprained MCL and sprained ankle, though there is hope he could return when the Baltimore Ravens visit on Oct. 18. Without him, opponents can focus more on Verse.
This makes the next 2 weeks an important test. A trip to the New York Jets will show if the pressure continues with a thinner interior, and then Lamar Jackson will be waiting.
The bags will eventually arrive for Verse, and when they do, this passage could become even more dangerous in a hurry. For now, the Browns are proving that life after Garrett doesn’t have to be a step back, and that might be the most surprising development from their 3-1 start.
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