The Cleveland Browns’ sixth consecutive day of practice featured tempers boiling over between two of the team’s most important players.
Rookie offensive tackle Spencer Fano and defensive end Jared Verse were at the center of a brawl during Saturday’s padded practice. Verse threw multiple punches during the altercation, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. The two tumbled to the ground before being separated by teammates.
“Jared Verse and Spencer Fano at the center of a brawl,” Jackson wrote on X. “Verse threw multiple punches. We knew it was coming here towards the end of six practices in six days. Both players are in for the next play.”
As Jackson noted, neither player was removed from practice. On the next snap, Fano stood up Verse in pass protection, drawing a loud cheer from the crowd on hand.
Jared Verse Has Taken Spencer Fano Under His Wing
The fight came only days after Verse earned praise for staying after practice to help Fano with his technique.
Verse and Fano have regularly faced each other with the starting units. Fano, the No. 9 overall pick in this year’s draft, is attempting to lock down the starting left tackle job. Verse provides the rookie with a difficult daily test as a two-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year. Head coach Todd Monken watched Verse work with Fano after practice and came away impressed with how the veteran handled the teaching session.
“That’s really cool. I walked up to Jared and said, ‘Man, we’re so lucky you’re a Brown. I mean holy [expletive] how cool is this?’” Monken said. “Because he’s not only a great leader, but he also works his rear end off every day, and after practice he’s trying to get Spencer better.”
Monken said Verse walked Fano through his footwork, hand placement and how to redirect against a pass-rusher.
“It was within five reps I saw Spencer get better,” Monken said. “It was him teaching like he was a coach, and it was awesome.”
Jared Verse Wants to Set Aggressive Tone for Browns
Verse has made no secret of the mentality he intends to bring to Cleveland. The Browns acquired Verse from the Los Angeles Rams as the centerpiece of the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade. Verse is not interested in being a direct replacement for Garrett, but he wants to establish his own identity as a physical and vocal leader.
“We’re not here to rebuild and tank for the No. 1 pick of whoever’s going to be up for quarterback or running back or wide receiver. We’re not tanking for any of that,” Verse told Yahoo Sports. “It’s not like a rebuild year where we’re trying to go out there and get three wins, four wins, nothing like that. We’re here to win. I know a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, it’s the Browns. They got this, they got that. They lost Myles, who’s a great player.’
“When we exceed expectations and go farther than anybody expects us to, I’m ready to see the look on everybody’s face.”
Verse described his preferred style as an old-school approach in which opponents must earn every yard. His intensity has been apparent throughout camp, whether he is battling Fano during team periods, talking trash or coaching the rookie after practice.
Monken called Verse a “relentless guy” and said his work ethic has made it easy for teammates to embrace his leadership.
Deshaun Watson Appears to Take Control of QB Competition
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns
The fight was part of an interesting day that featured a significant development in Cleveland’s quarterback competition. Saturday was expected to be Shedeur Sanders’ day with the starting offense, continuing the rotation between Sanders and Deshaun Watson. Instead, Watson received a large share of the first-team work and went first in several drills.
Dillon Gabriel also received a chunk of snaps with the second team, potentially raising questions about whether he has moved ahead of Sanders in the pecking order.
Monken previously said changes in practice reps would provide a clue about which direction the coaching staff is leaning. Saturday represented the clearest departure yet from the planned rotation.
Cleveland is preparing for its preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on August 15.
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