Verse is looking to help the Rams reach the NFC title game for the second time in four seasons.
Jared Verse lived a few hours north of Philadelphia during his high school playing days and heard a lot about Eagles fans. He came away from his time growing up in Pennsylvania with a feeling that he will take into Sunday’s NFC divisional game.
“I hate Eagles fans,” the Rams rookie edge rusher told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times this week.. “They’re so annoying. I hate Eagles fans.”
Verse had his first encounter as a professional with Eagles fans during the Rams’ Week 12 loss to the Eagles at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Prior to the game, those wearing green and white in attendance jeered the rookie, something that has not forgotten about.
“I didn’t even do nothing to ’em,” said Verse, who made seven tackles in the game. “It was my first time playing. Oh, I hate Eagles fans… When I see that green and white, I hate it. I actually get upset. Like I actually genuinely get hot.”
There won’t just be a pocket of fans in green and white in the crowd on Sunday; Verse will be up against the entirety of Lincoln Financial Field, and after reading his quotes Verse will become Enemy No. 1 throughout the day — especially if the outcome is similar to Week 12 when Saquon Barkley scored twice and totaled a franchise record 255 rushing yards, which included runs of 72 and 70 yards.
Verse said that he played a part in Barkley’s success that day, trying to do too much to stop Barkley and the Eagles’ offense. He’ll have his work cut out for him against an offensive line featuring All-Pros in Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata — though he did provide a highlight against Mailata which nearly led to a sack on quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Jared Verse just ran right over 345lb Jordan Mailata!! pic.twitter.com/lErRTBWXUY
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) November 25, 2024
“I remember when I got flat-backed,” Mailata told reporters this week. “It was a good rush by him. The guy plays with a high motor. I think he plays well, he plays hard. He’s got some great moves. … To be fair, I got a couple on him too. Good on good.”
Following his collegiate career at Albany and later Florida State, Verse was a 2024 first-round pick by the Rams and turned in a standout rookie season that earned him a Pro Bowl nod and will likely see him as a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist. He recorded 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and was fourth in the NFL with 76 quarterback pressures. His ability to disrupt an opponent’s offense continued during last week’s 27-9 wild-card round win over the Minnesota Vikings where he had two tackles and a fumble return for a touchdown.
A win Sunday, in front of a stadium full of Eagles fans, would put Verse and the Rams one win away from the Super Bowl. That would be a good response to the comments that will directed his way.
However the game goes, Verse and Eagles fans won’t have to wait too long to be reacquainted as the two teams are on each other’s 2025 schedules with the Rams making a trip at some point during the season to Philadelphia.
For now, Verse is focused on helping the Rams take one more step towards a championship.
“I’m going to go crazy,” Verse said. “It’s going to be something.”
