Why Rams OLB Jared Verse's crazy strategy of riling Eagles fans will pay off

While the Seattle Seahawks fans are known throughout the NFL as the 12th man, the LA Rams know that any game facing the Philadelphia Eagles in Lincoln Financial Field is just as raucously loud and challenging. But don't think for a moment that Eagles fans save their boos and ire for visiting teams. There are many examples of fans turning on their own players after pathetic efforts and poor performances for lucratively paid players.

If you need more background on that, just Google Ricky Watter 'For who? For what?' and you will see what I mean.

Philadelphia Pennsylvania is a tough-minded blue collar city on the East Coast that does not elevate football players automatically as is often the case on the West Coast. It's a prove-it city that demands players on their football team, and any football team that dares to face the Philadelphia Eagles, has as much if not more passion for the game than they do. And I do not hesitate to say that Eagles fans love the game of football.

Players who achieve celebrity-status on the team are not players who find niche roles necessarily. This is a team that cherishes the in-the-dirt heroes like center Jason Kelce. This is a fanbase that applauds physical performances that acknowledge mistakes and have a work-ethic that puts players into position to succeed.

Cheers for Eagles players and boos for opposing players are the true mark of greatness in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. So why is LA Rams OLB Jared Verse provoking Eagles fans with his recent comments?

And so sprung the social media firestorm.

Plenty has been written about the comments in the meantime. Both from the Rams and Eagles' perspectives. But the comments of Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley hold plenty of relevance right now. You see, before 2024, he was a gifted veteran running back for the New York Giants, one of the Eagles' most hated divisional rivals. So he knows a thing or two about comments fueling fans and players before games. KGET writer Eva Geitham quoted Barkley regarding his reaction to Jared Verse's comment. Here's what he had to say:

"Probably not the smartest thing to say when you are coming to Philadelphia. I have been on the other side and even if I felt some type of way, probably would not give them any extra fuel. Pretty sure Philly fans seeing that comment ... It was already going to be loud and rocking.

It (Verse comment) is only going to add to it"

RB Saquon Barkley

So no, Verse's comments are not clickbait or BS. Eagles fans and players read the same news and articles leading up to a vital Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs games. The crowd was always going to be loud and rocking. But this added motivation will only fuel the fans into a frenzy.

So, what does LA Rams HC Sean McVay have to say about his rookie outside linebacker's comments?