Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (0) and linebacker Jared Verse (8) celebrate a sack against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
In a shocking revelation, Los Angeles Rams' defensive end Jared Verse has changed his tune surrounding Eagles fans.
Previously, Verse had bashed Eagles fans ahead of the NFC Divisional Round matchup. But recently, he took time to praise the Philly faithful during an interview with Whistle Sports.
"Probably the Eagles," Verse said when asked about who the NFL's best opposing fan base is. "I've got to give them that. I like when you kind of like get into it, you're aggressive, you're loud and all that stuff. They stand by that with no doubt."
The answer comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering Verse was public enemy No. 1 in the buildup to the Eagles' second playoff game. The defensive end told Gary Klein of The Los Angeles Times that he "hated Eagles fans" and that they were "so annoying."
Verse attended Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg, which is about two hours from Philadelphia, so he probably interacted with his fair share of Eagles fans growing up.
Eagles fans can be in your face and obnoxious, but only if you give them a reason to. Verse certainly did with his comments. He was serenaded with a smattering of boos, while walking on the field before the Eagles and Rams faced off on Jan. 19. In a video posted by NFL Network's Mike Garofalo, Verse welcomed it all, smiling as he walked along the end zone, even egging on some fans in the stands:
Give him credit. #Rams’ Jared Verse did a lap and said hello to his not-so-adoring #Eagles fans. pic.twitter.com/8LaPT2o14K
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 19, 2025
That experience might've had a profound impact on Verse, who also told Whistle Sports that Philadelphia was the toughest crowd to play against.
"Playing the Eagles is like playing your rival in college," Verse said. "You never know what they're going to say and they're gonna try to say some disrespectful stuff. Don't get me wrong, they're not gonna say anything where you're like, 'Bro, you crossed a line." But they're gonna say some stuff where you're like, 'Who you talkin to?"
Once an opposing player gets on Eagles fans' bad side, it's nearly impossible to get off. However, Eagles fans can appreciate if someone can back up their trash talk. Verse certainly did that in a snow-filled Lincoln Financial Field.
The Defensive Rookie of the Year sacked Jalen Hurts twice and nearly helped the Rams pull off an upset. Although Verse ended up on the losing end, he didn't produce a dud. That doesn't mean Eagles fans are suddenly going to give up their hatred of Verse, but they know that the defensive end isn't one to shy away from a fight.
Verse will have a chance to exact revenge on Eagles fans in a Week 3 showdown on Sept. 21 at the Linc. There will be plenty of boos from Eagles fans. Verse surely knows that. But this time, there will be a bit of mutual respect from both sides.
