Steelers' Jaquan Brisker calls out Browns' Jared Verse for trash talk - USA Today
Cam Heyward’s promise that the Steelers would “address” trash talk by Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse came true during their pivotal NFL Week 8 meeting Nov. 1 at Acrisure Stadium.
Left guard Mason McCormick slammed Verse to the ground on an extra point attempt following Rico Dowdle's touchdown that put Pittsburgh up 7-0 in the first quarter.
McCormick was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play. Verse was not penalized but was seen celebrating as he and his Cleveland teammates ran off the field after the play.
The penalty ended up not hurting the Steelers, as Cleveland was forced to punt on the subsequent drive. The Browns had no answers the rest of the day, as the Steelers went on to secure a 27-6 win to move into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
"They were talking crazy,” Verse told reporters after facing the Steelers back in Week 4. “I was telling them, ‘Y'all double-teaming and sliding and you're garbage.’ I don't have respect for anybody that plays too dirty and does too much extra [stuff] after the game. I can't wait to see them again. It's going to be a great time when I see them again."
That apparently did not sit well with the Steelers, especially considering they dropped a 27-24 decision in overtime during their trip to Cleveland on Oct. 2
Heyward said as much in an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show on Oct. 29 in anticipation of the rematch that will decide control of the AFC North division.
“Double teaming, sliding, chipping, are those not allowed in our game?” Heyward said Tuesday on The Rich Eisen show. “Yeah, I got the bruises to prove it. But we don’t whine about it, baby. It’s part of the game. And so, I’m looking forward to this game. It’s gonna be a fun game. Both teams are in position to do a lot of work in this division, as they say.
“The AFC North is on fire and I’m glad I’m in the kitchen because I like it that way. But those are words that were said and they will be addressed.”
The Steelers pounded the ball at the Browns for most of the afternoon. Running back Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren combined for 200 yards on the ground.
The Steelers offensive line mostly neutralized Verse. He registered just one tackle and one quarterback hit on the afternoon, so Heyward seemed content not to respond further to the trash talk.
"Not motivated by that," he said. "We were motivated because we wanted to get this damn win before we got to the bye. So there were bigger fish to fry."
Some teammates were happy to provide a little more passion afterward.
Safety Jaquan Brisker is in his first season with his hometown team and took exception to what Verse said, especially considering his mostly invisible performance.
"He should have kept his mouth shut," Brisker said. "All that talking, and to come out with zero tackles. I mean, that's bad. You didn't stand behind your words, and you didn't stand on business. So he's gotta look himself in the mirror and get better."
McCormick told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he didn't know Verse was the player he upended on the play that he was penalized for.
“I just felt someone jump," he said. "We’re told to get jumper’s hands down, and that’s really it.”
For his part, Verse didn't walk anything back after his team – and his defense in particular – was humbled on the field.
The Browns were outgained by a 361-319 margin and managed just one sack of Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers after taking him down five times back in Week 4.
"I stand by everything I said," Verse told reporters. "As a man, you have to naturally do that. I think we could have definitely done more to present ourselves as the team that we are. I don't know who the hell that team was that walked out there and presented themselves. We didn't do enough across the board from the first quarter to the last quarter."
Verse is in his first season with the Browns after coming over from the Rams with draft picks in exchange for All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett. He has yet to register a sack in seven games in 2026.
