The Pittsburgh Steelers did plenty of work this offseason to position themselves as contenders for the upcoming season. Omar Khan's front office attacked roster weaknesses and added veteran leadership while continuing to build for the future.
Unfortunately, they are not the only franchise working to improve.
On Monday, the Cleveland Browns shook the NFL by trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a package centered around draft capital and edge rusher Jared Verse. The blockbuster move sends one of the league's most feared pass rushers far away from the AFC North.
For Steelers fans, it feels like a dream come true.
Garrett has been a thorn in Pittsburgh's side for years. Every game plan began with keeping No. 95 from wrecking the afternoon. His combination of power, speed, and relentless effort forced the offense to devote extra resources to slowing him down.
The All-Pro edge rusher appeared in 16 games against Pittsburgh throughout his career, recording 13 sacks and multiple forced fumbles. His impact stretched beyond the stat sheet. Garrett consistently disrupted timing, collapsed pockets, and forced the Steelers to hyper-focus on his game-wrecking abilities.
His presence was nauseating.
Despite all the headaches he caused, Garrett never completely stopped Pittsburgh from competing. The Steelers managed a respectable 6-9-1 record against Cleveland during his tenure. They found ways to survive, even when Garrett looked like the best player on the field.
The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot underestimate Jared Verse after the Myles Garret trade
Yes, Garrett is gone.
But the Browns did not replace him with a developmental prospect or an aging veteran. They acquired a young Pro Bowl-caliber defender in Jared Verse. I believe he possesses many of the same traits that made Garrett so dangerous.
Garrett's résumé includes a Defensive Player of the Year award. But still, Verse arrives in Cleveland as one of the league's brightest young pass rushers. During his first two NFL seasons with the Rams, he developed into a cornerstone defender capable of impacting games within seconds.
The production speaks for itself.
Verse earned 12 sacks, 21.5 run stuffs, and five forced fumbles in his first two seasons while helping Los Angeles secure consecutive playoff appearances. His explosiveness off the edge and relentless motor make him a nightmare matchup for offensive tackles.
Honestly, he feels like the type of player Pittsburgh will soon grow tired of seeing.
The Browns lost a highly motivated quarterback hunter. But they replaced him with a younger disruptor who is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. Verse is also in the last year of his rookie contract. He'll work hard to earn his next deal. That should concern every team in the AFC North.
Watching Garrett leave the division should provide Steelers fans with a breath of fresh air. But the relief is short-lived when you realize Cleveland may have secured another defensive cornerstone for the next decade.
And for the Steelers, that is enough to ruin the celebration.
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