Jared Verse already has fans talking despite just joining the Cleveland Browns. The linebacker showed up to his first OTA practice wearing No. 8, the same number that quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been using. Both players were spotted in the same jersey number on the same field.
Cleveland acquired Verse as part of the trade that sent star defensive end Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. Along with Verse, the Browns also received multiple draft picks in the deal.
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Fans reacted on Twitter.
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“Straight up Deebo’d that number from Dillon Gabriel,” one fan tweeted.
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“He really snatched #8,” one fan wrote.
“Looks just like a young Myles Garrett, full of optimism and naive hope,” another fan tweeted.
“Stole my dawg number, bruh Kevin Stefanski left Dillon high and dry,” another fan wrote
“The Browns’ only hope,” one fan posted
“You can’t hate on that. felt legit,” another fan added.
“The New King of Cleveland has arrived,” another added.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said on Friday that the Browns are waiting on NFL approval for Gabriel to switch his number. The holdup, Garafolo noted, may be tied to league rules that require players to buy back all merchandise carrying their old number before a switch goes through.
Read more: Jared Verse makes his feelings known on “losing team” narrative after joining Browns
Where does Dillon Gabriel stand with the Browns now?
Jared Verse wore No. 8 at Florida State and through two seasons with the Rams, where he recorded 7.5 sacks last year and picked up the nickname “V8.”
Gabriel’s position on the roster is a question. Browns coach Todd Monken said this week the team has “two starting-level quarterbacks” in Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. Gabriel, who started six games last season before being benched for Sanders, is now likely battling sixth-round pick Taylen Green for a third-string spot.
Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein