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

McVay backs his player

If you expected Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay to publicly chastise the favorite for 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, think again. Coach McVay understands that the NFL Playoffs will never be a time to be shy or timid. And what better way to put the team on notice than to have one of his players step up and unpromptedly rebuke Eagles fans?

McVay won't punish his players for telling the truth. It's a generally accepted reputation around the NFL that Eagles fans are very vocal and disrespectful. So it comes as no surprise that McVay was not baited into throwing more combustible comments into the flames. But is that a subtle smile of pride he shows after his answer?

It's not uncommon for players to comment about the fans of opposing teams. Almost every fanbase has that small component of rebel-rousers, fans who take it upon themselves to shout and scream vile and unsavory comments from the safety of the stands. It could simply be that the raucous fans are fueled by alcohol-inspired courage. It could be that the emotions of the game overwhelm fans, and their fight or flight engages a fight reaction that starts with taunting players and results in fights in the stands.

There is an unfair national narrative that resurfaces about Philadelphia Eagles fans every year that cites fans from nearly 100 years ago bombarding Santa Claus with snowballs. Eagles fans are passionate, loud, and demand excellence from their players. That level of support on one side of the record comes with a loud trolling of opposing players on the other side

Fans of every NFL team are loud. Fans of every NFL team troll opposing players. But yes, fans of some NFL teams cross the line from fair sportsmanship into regrettable statements and acts. And some fans of the Philadelphia Eagles have historically crossed that line.

Jared Verse may be a star outside linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams. But even a rookie must understand that calling out a fanbase is a surefire way of poking the bear. If things were bad before, they just got a lot worse. Knowing that, he had to know what would happen. Was it a faux pas? Or did he have a strategy behind calling out Eagles fans?

Let's consider some reasons why he would taunt Philadelphia Eagles fans before facing the team in the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.