Jared Verse lived a few hours north of Philadelphia during his high school playing days and heard a lot about Eagles fans. He returned from his childhood in Pennsylvania feeling that he would take Sunday’s NFC Divisional Game.
Verse had his first encounter as a professional with Eagles fans at the Rams game. Week 12 loss to the Eagles at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Before the game, people dressed in green and white made fun of the rookie, which was not forgotten.
“I didn’t even do anything to them,” said Verse, who had 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 mad. Like I’m really hot .”
There won’t just be a handful of supporters in green and white in the crowd on Sunday; Verse will face the entirety of Lincoln Financial Field, and after reading his quotes, Verse will become enemy No. 1 throughout the day – especially if the result is similar to Week 12, when Saquon Barkley scored twice and totaled a franchise record 255 rushing yardswhich included runs of 72 and 70 yards.
Verse said he played a role 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 – although he provided a highlight against Mailata that almost led to a sack of quarterback Jalen Hurts.
“I remember when I had a flat back,” Mailata told reporters this week. “It was a good rush on his part. The guy plays with a high motor. I think he plays well, he plays hard. He has good movements. …To be honest, I have a few on him too. Good, good.
After his college career at Albany and later Florida State, Verse was a first-round draft pick of the Rams in 2024 and had a stellar rookie season that earned him a Pro Bowl nod and will see him likely as a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He recorded 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and finished fourth in the NFL with 76 quarterback pressures. His ability to disrupt an opponent’s offense has continued over the past week. Wild-card round win 27-9 against the Minnesota Vikings where he had two tackles and a fumble return for a touchdown.
A win on Sunday, in front of a stadium full of Eagles fans, would put Verse and the Rams within one win of the game. Super Bowl. This would be a good response to comments directed at him.
Regardless of how the game goes, Verse and Eagles fans won’t have to wait too long to reconnect with both teams. everyone’s 2025 schedules with the Rams taking a trip at some point during the season to Philadelphia.
For now, Verse is focused on helping the Rams take another step toward a championship.
“I’m going to go crazy,” Verse said. “It’s going to be something.”
