Jared Verse Will Wear No. 8 With Browns, Dillon Gabriel to Change Number

The Cleveland Browns had two players wearing No. 8 at practice: Jared Verse and Dillon Gabriel.

NFL rules permit two players to wear duplicate jersey numbers during the offseason workout program and training camp, but it’s not allowed after.

There is no jersey saga in Cleveland, though, as NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reports that Verse will wear No. 8 and Gabriel will change his number.

The Browns acquired Verse from the Los Angeles Rams in the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade. Verse is much better than Gabriel. He won the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and has made two Pro Bowls.

Meanwhile, Gabriel finished his rookie season with 937 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns and two interceptions. The lefty completed only 59.5% of his passes and went 1-5 as a starter before getting benched for Shedeur Sanders.

Verse told reporters that he’s not in Cleveland to replace Garrett, who is the best defender in the NFL. Verse wants to create his own legacy with the Browns.

“I’m not here to fill [Garrett’s] shoes,” Verse said. “I’m here to bring my own … I’m here to work, and I’m here to be the best version of me. And the best version of me is going to be the best defensive player in the league. And the best defensive player in the league is going to play for the best defense in the league.”

According to NFL analyst Alex Kay of Bleacher Report, the Browns “need to move on from Dillion Gabriel.” Cleveland has four QBs: Gabriel, Deshaun Watson, Sanders and Taylen Green.

Gabriel is expected to be No. 3 or 4 on the depth chart, so the Browns might as well trade him for future draft picks.

“Gabriel’s best chance of sticking around will be as a third-stringer, but Cleveland added a promising sixth-round rookie in Taylen Green who makes more sense to develop in that role,” Kay wrote. “Cleveland should instead look to recoup some capital and ship Gabriel off to a less crowded quarterbacks room.”

There really is no point in Cleveland having four QBs on the roster. Trading Gabriel and getting some draft picks for him seems like the smart play.

Verse will make his Browns debut in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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