There is no controversy between new Cleveland Browns edge rusher Jared Verse and quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

The NFL world did its best to stir one up after Verse showed up to practice wearing the No. 8, which is also the number Gabriel wore last season and was still wearing on Thursday.

However, as it turns out, there is no issue and Verse is going to get the number he wore with the Los Angeles Rams before he was included in the blockbuster deal involving superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Browns are simply waiting for the NFL to approve the young signal-caller’s jersey number switch.

“The Jared Verse-Dillon Gabriel jersey situation apparently isn’t a standoff for No. 8,” Garafolo wrote. The Browns are waiting for NFL approval for Gabriel to change his number.”

MORE: Browns GM explains goal behind Myles Garrett trade

Garafolo went on to say that he isn’t sure if there was some kind of deal worked out between the two players, which is often the case when one player wants another’s jersey number.

He also wasn’t sure what the hold up was with the approval process, but the bottom line is Gabriel is switching digits and Verse will be wearing his No. 8.

Dillon Gabriel’s shaky future

A third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2025, Dillon Gabriel got an opportunity to start for the team during his rookie campaign.

Unfortunately for Gabriel, the results were disappointing, as he struggled his way to a 1-5 record as the starter before he was ultimately benched for Shedeur Sanders.

Gabriel completed just 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards and seven touchdowns to two interceptions.

Now, Gabriel finds himself on the outside looking in when it comes to the Browns’ quarterback competition that includes Sanders and Deshaun Watson.

MORE: Jim Schwartz breaks silence on being passed over by Browns

In fact, head coach Todd Monken noted that the Browns have two starting-caliber quarterbacks, and he was referring to Sanders and Watson.

“Every day I kind of lean one way or the other with quarterbacks,” he said. “But we’ve still got to get to that point. Who’s going to start for us? But I’m fired up by the quarterbacks. I just tell you, we’ve got two starting-level quarterbacks. We really do.”

Assuming the Browns don’t move one of Sanders or Watson once the competition is decided, it’s very possible Gabriel gets cut or traded, as teams prefer not to carry three quarterbacks these days.

With his future as shaky as it is, Gabriel pretty much had to give up his number to Verse, who is in the team’s long-term plans.

Jared Verse has big shoes to fill

Even though it isn’t fair because Garrett is a generational talent, Jared Verse is likely to be compared to him for years to come.

That’s because Verse is stepping into the role as the Browns’ top edge rusher now that Garrett is gone, and he’s going to be a huge piece in Cleveland’s current rebuild.

“I watch his film every day. … I’ve very much studied him, and to know that I’m not here to fill his shoes, “Verse said of Garrett. That’s not my job. That’s not in my description in any organization I go to; that’s not my job. My job is to be the best of me.”

MORE: Browns included quasi-poison pill in Myles Garrett trade

“If I’m the best me, I’m not going to be Myles Garrett. I’m not going to be Myles Garrett, this guy, that guy, the best players in the league. I’m going to be the best Jared and that’s going to be the best player in the league,” he added.

Verse, who is much cheaper than Garrett because he’s still on his rookie contract, has shown a ton of promise over two seasons in the NFL and went from 4.5 sacks in 2024 to 7.5 in 2025.

Verse isn’t likely to approach what Garrett did for the Browns, but if he can even come close and the Browns can hit on the picks they acquired from Los Angeles, this trade will be considered a huge win for Cleveland.

The Cleveland Browns made one of the most shocking moves of the NFL offseason when they traded franchise cornerstone Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. In return, Cleveland received rising star Jared Verse along with valuable draft capital, but the move immediately sparked strong reactions from fans and players who viewed Garrett as the face of the organization.

Now, just days after arriving in Cleveland, Verse is already at the center of another controversy.

MORE: 3 NFL stars next to be traded now that Myles Garrett & A.J. Brown have been dealt

A Difficult Situation From The Start

Replacing a player of Garrett’s stature was never going to be easy. Garrett spent years establishing himself as one of the league’s premier defensive players and a respected leader within the Browns locker room.

As a result, Verse entered a challenging situation from the moment the trade became official. Fair or not, every move he makes is likely to be scrutinized by a fan base still processing the departure of one of its most beloved stars.

Unfortunately for Verse, his first headline in Cleveland has little to do with football.

The Jersey Number Controversy

Reports from Browns practices showed Verse wearing No. 8, a number that is already assigned to quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

In many cases, when a veteran player arrives on a new team and wants a specific jersey number, discussions take place behind the scenes. Often, the player currently holding the number is compensated or agrees to give it up voluntarily.

That is why some observers were surprised to see Verse wearing No. 8 so soon after joining the organization. Whether it was a misunderstanding, a temporary practice arrangement, or something else entirely, the optics immediately generated discussion among fans.

Could This Become A Bigger Issue?

At this stage, there is no indication that a serious conflict exists between Verse and Gabriel. However, perception matters in the NFL, especially when emotions are already running high after a blockbuster trade.

For a player stepping into the spotlight following Garrett’s departure, any controversy is likely to be magnified. If the jersey situation proves to be nothing more than a simple misunderstanding, the story will quickly fade away.

But if tensions continue to build, it could become an early distraction for a Browns team already facing immense pressure after reshaping its roster in dramatic fashion.

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