While both players look to be future superstars, playing together has been the best thing for both of their careers
Iron sharpening iron might be the best way to describe the relationship between Los Angeles Rams pass rushers Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Individually, each player is an up-and-coming star with votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. While Verse may have claimed victory over the award in the end, Fiske’s team leading 8.5 sacks (which was double Verse’s total) could make some argue he actually had the more productive first season of the two teammates.
According to Dan Pompei of The Athletic, Fiske said losing the award to Verse felt like “a stab in the heart.”
“Next time, it’s for the big one,” Fiske told Verse at the Rams’ facility. “I’ll see you when they give out the Defensive Player of the Year award.”
While there is competition between the two friends, their relationship and communication on the field dating back to their collegiate days together at Florida State has seemed to play a major role in both of their success. While they are great players on their own, together they become so much more formidable, using their bond to communicate on the field in a way that is unmatched for most.
It was a bond that jumped off the screen, with one of their best examples happening during FSU’s game against Louisville in the ACC Championship. Verse looked at Fiske without saying a word, taking the up and under on the play while Fiske wrapped around the tackle. The result was a sack.
“We just gave each other a nod like, take your shot. I have more of a feel with him than anyone.” Fiske added “I wish more people could see how caring, giving and respectful he is with everybody, the way he uplifts people, brings energy to a room and changes the entire environment wherever he’s at.”
Verse echoed Fiske’s sentiments, speaking glowingly of his friend as well.
“I never had a sixth sense with another player like this.” Verse continued “I love Fiske, that’s one of my best friends right there, one of the best people I’ve met.”
The connection between Verse and Fiske is also something that Rams General Manager Les Snead noticed right away in the draft process.
“That was one of those games [The ACC Championship Game] that as you studied it, you’re saying, ‘Wow, these two are really symbiotic,’” he says. “They are in the rhythm, right? They’re on the same wavelength.”
The Rams would go on to take Verse in the first round of the 2024 draft and immediately starting working on a play to land Fiske as well. At the time, many thought LA gave up too much to move up in the second round to nab Fiske, trading away two second round picks to move up just 13 spots. However, in retrospect no one in LA would say that now coming off the heels of both players outstanding rookie seasons. While time will tell, it’s possible that Los Angeles nabbed the top two pass rushers available in the 2024 draft.
The two knew their worth and were shocked that the NFL let them end up on the same team. Watching tape together towards the end of the draft process, the two thought more about the possibility of a reunion.
“Imagine if that happened. It would be insane.” said Fiske, with Verse adding “There is no way 31 teams would let that happen. There’s no way.”
The second day of the draft, the Rams were able to bring Verse into their control room in time to allow him to be on the call when Fiske was selected. It was an emotional and exciting time for the two friends, living out a moment they will probably never forget.
Incredible emotions as Jared Verse joined the Draft call to his @FSUFootball teammate Braden Fiske
The Rams drafted them twenty picks apart. (via @RamsNFL) @JaredVerse1 @bradenfiske55 pic.twitter.com/2s3BAuSWRw
— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2024
“We worked hard together and talked about something like this,” Fiske says. “For it to actually transpire was the ultimate. He and I saw a vision start to blossom on that call.”
Verse then added “I knew how much that moment meant to him because we spent so much time together,” Verse says. “To see that come true for him, and then to get one of my best friends back on the field with me? Dude, I couldn’t compare that feeling with anything.”
During the season, the two young pass rushers would combine for 13 sacks, four forced fumbles and 110 total tackles. In their first two playoff games together they combined for 3.5 sacks and Verse was also able to return a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown in the Wild Card matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Unfortunately, Fiske was injured early in the Rams Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and his absence was greatly felt in LA’s ability to stop the run. Still it was a great season to build on and the future feels extremely bright as training camps start for 2025.
“With the way those two attack Monday through Saturday and then show up and play, I’m pretty sure opposing offensive linemen are going to be saying, ‘I wish we weren’t playing these guys because it’s going to be 65 hard, hard downs,’” Snead says.
Fiske called Verse a “crucial part of [his] journey” and credits him for elevating his game. Verse added that being reunited with Fiske was probably the best thing that could have happened to him.
“There are certain people that you know are meant to be in your life for a very long time, people you need to keep in your life,” Verse says. “Even if we had been drafted by different teams, I knew at one point we would have gotten back together because the chemistry and vibe we have is something you can’t replicate.”
The Rams head into the new season viewed by many as potential Super Bowl contenders. Fiske and Verse are expected to play major roles for the team, not just on the field, but as two of the top faces of the franchise going forward.