The Pittsburgh Steelers' rivalry with the Cleveland Browns apparently gained another layer of bad blood following Pittsburgh's 27-24 loss on Thursday night. Browns star pass rusher Jared Verse didn't hold much back when discussing his interactions with the Steelers after the game. Verse went as far as accusing Pittsburgh of playing dirty while revealing some of the trash talk he directed toward the Steelers throughout the contest.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to pass the ball under pressure from Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse (8) during the first quarter in Week 3 at Huntington Bank Field.
Pittsburgh and Cleveland have never needed much help creating tension between one another. Thursday night's close finish only added to it, with emotions remaining high after the game concluded. Verse was right in the middle of that intensity, and his comments made it clear that whatever happened between him and the Steelers wasn't something he planned on immediately forgetting.
Verse spoke with Ashly Holder following Cleveland's win and revealed exactly what he had been saying to members of Pittsburgh's offense. The Browns defender wasn't shy about mocking the additional attention Pittsburgh sent his direction, but his comments quickly became more serious when he explained why he didn't have much respect for the Steelers.
"I was talking to them crazy," Verse said. "I was telling them, 'You're double-teaming, y'all sliding, y'all garbage.' I don't have any respect for anybody that plays too dirty and does too much extra sh** after the game."
That should add plenty of fuel to an AFC North rivalry that already has enough of it. Verse clearly took notice of how Pittsburgh attempted to handle him throughout the game. His reference to double-teams and protection sliding in his direction shows that the Steelers were conscious of where Cleveland's dangerous pass rusher was lined up and weren't afraid to send additional help when necessary.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy Prior to a regular season matchup against the Browns in October 2026.
Verse decided to use that attention as ammunition for his trash talk. Calling the Steelers "garbage" for double-teaming him is one thing. Players talk throughout NFL games, especially when two divisional opponents are involved. An edge rusher talking trash to offensive linemen for sending extra protection his way isn't particularly surprising.
Accusing the Steelers of playing dirty is considerably different. Verse didn't provide a detailed explanation in that specific comment about everything Pittsburgh did that crossed the line in his mind. However, he clearly believed there was too much happening beyond normal football, particularly with what he described as extra activity after the game.
That's a strong accusation to make about an entire opponent. Pittsburgh certainly won't need anybody to remind its players about those comments whenever these teams see each other again. Verse has now publicly stated that he doesn't respect players who operate the way he believes the Steelers did Thursday night, while also openly revealing how aggressively he was talking to Pittsburgh throughout the matchup.
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Verse is quickly learning exactly what playing inside the AFC North can become. There isn't much friendliness when Pittsburgh and Cleveland meet, and Thursday night's three-point finish provided another emotional chapter between the rivals. Verse appears perfectly comfortable embracing that environment.
His comments also create an interesting contrast. Verse was openly talking crazy to the Steelers, mocking their protection strategy and calling them garbage. He clearly didn't have a problem with verbal exchanges or the general hostility that can develop during a divisional game.
In his mind, however, Pittsburgh crossed a different line. Verse specifically separated his trash talk from what he considered dirty play and unnecessary activity after the game. Whether the Steelers agree with that characterization is another matter entirely, but there is no ambiguity about how Verse viewed the situation.
Steelers fans, what do you make of Jared Verse saying he has no respect for Pittsburgh after accusing the Steelers of playing dirty? Let us know what you think, and follow Anthony G. Halkias II on X @anthonyghalkias for more Pittsburgh Steelers news.
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