Jared Verse Reveals He Spoke to Browns' Psychiatrist, Opens Up on 'Mental Block' of Sack Slump

After being a key part of the Cleveland Browns' return in the Myles Garrett trade, Jared Verse is feeling the mental toll of not yet recording a sack through nine games with his new team.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Verse revealed he met with the Browns' team psychiatrist to discuss the "mental block" he has been feeling this season.

"I think it was definitely a mental block," Verse said. "I train my body every day to push myself to the limits of what I'm physically capable of doing. So I don't think it was any issue with my body, but I think I've taken the steps to figure out what it was after meeting with a couple people and everything like that."

Verse was viewed as much more than just a throw-in to take some of the snaps the Browns were losing by giving up Garrett. He had been one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL through his first two seasons with the Rams with 45 quarterback hits, 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 34 games.

Last season, Verse ranked fourth among all defensive players in quarterback knockdowns and 10th in pressures.

Through his first nine games with Cleveland, Verse has six quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and no sacks.

"I haven't played well at all this season," Verse said. "I think I've taken a little bit of time looking at me, at what I could do better, because I think [the defensive line] goes how I go. That's my mindset in anything I do."

Despite the struggles for Verse, he still has plenty of support within the building. Browns head coach Todd Monken said after Week 8 that one potential issue is they aren't often playing with a lead late in games that forces teams to throw, but if they start to do that, we will "see his sacks start to pile up."

The good news for the Browns is they have been winning games with Verse not playing up to his usual standards thus far. They are 5-4, matching their win total from the entire 2025 season.

Verse will look to break through this week when the Browns host the Houston Texans on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.