Jared Verse dismisses Cam Heyward’s comments before Browns-Steelers rematch
The Browns defensive end said he was not worried about Heyward or Pittsburgh’s offensive line after an exchange that began with Cleveland’s October win.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse said Oct. 29 that he was not worried about Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward ahead of the teams’ scheduled Nov. 1 rematch in Pittsburgh. His comments followed an exchange that began after Cleveland’s 27-24 win on Oct. 1 and brought fresh attention to a game between two teams with 5-2 records.
“I’m not worried about Cam,” Verse said, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. He also dismissed concern about Pittsburgh’s offensive line and said Cleveland was going into the game ready to dominate. Reporter Scott Petrak separately reported that Verse had been waiting for the rematch and was unconcerned by Heyward’s comments.
Why Verse and Heyward exchanged words
After the Browns beat the Steelers in Cleveland on Oct. 1, Verse called Pittsburgh’s offensive line “dirty” and said he was looking forward to facing the team again, the Beacon Journal reported. The scheduled rematch takes the Browns to Pittsburgh for their second meeting of the season.
Heyward responded on the Rich Eisen Show on Oct. 27. “Double teaming, sliding, chipping, are those not allowed in our game?” he said, according to the Beacon Journal. Heyward pointed to bruises from the previous meeting, said such treatment was part of football and indicated the words exchanged between the teams would be addressed in their next game. Verse’s Oct. 29 remarks were his first that week about the matchup, the Beacon Journal reported.
AFC North stakes in the Browns-Steelers rematch
Both teams entered the scheduled meeting at 5-2, with Cleveland atop the AFC North after its earlier win over Pittsburgh, according to Steelers Now. The outlet reported that the Browns had not swept the Steelers in a season since 1988 or won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh since 2003. A win at Acrisure Stadium would therefore end a long away drought for Cleveland as well as affect the teams’ divisional standings.
Browns coach Todd Monken emphasized the divisional stakes over the rivalry’s history. “Fastest way to get in the playoffs is win your division,” he said, according to 247Sports, while stressing that the season remained at an early stage. Rookie receiver Denzel Boston told the outlet he could tell the rivalry mattered to Cleveland. Monken said past records in Pittsburgh did not define the current Browns team, framing Sunday’s meeting as a contest between divisional opponents trying to improve their position.
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Sources and context
- Jared Verse 'not worried' about Steelers, Cam Heyward as rematch arrivesAkron Beacon Journal (Chris Easterling), republished by Yahoo Sports
- 'We're About to Make Pittsburgh Ours': Browns Edge Rusher Jared Verse Claps Back at Cam HeywardSteelers Now; credits Cleveland.com’s Ashley Bastock for Verse’s remarks; Reuters Connect appears in the image credit
- Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) on XScott Petrak on X
- Browns vs. Steelers Rivalry Heats up Ahead of Week 8 Rematch247Sports
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.