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?

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.

(5) - The Rams need someone to rally around

Whether sourced in cinema or history, young men who are about to enter any battle or conflict have the normal emotional reaction of fear and dismay. It's only natural for any human facing danger to weigh through the fight or flight debate. The moments leading up to those clashes often contain speeches intended to convert that emotional energy into a singular focus.

It's why all NFL teams have a huddle that includes a motivational speech from a team leader just before kickoff.

Verse is not an experienced leader of the team, yet. But he is a trash-talker for good reason. Professional football is as much of a psychological game as it is a mental and physical game. Verse succeeds because he knows that over the course of the game, he will win his matchups on some plays, while not on others.

And yet, his constant chattering throughout the course of a game magnifies the perception of his success, while seemingly fueling an even more determined effort on the next play. Much like Captain America's alter ego Steve Rogers, Jared Verse never stops, and as Steve Rogers says in the movie.

I can do this all day.

But there is more at work in this scenario. Other Rams players may not be comfortable as spokespersons for the team. They are not wired to trash-talk throughout the game. Many football players prefer to let their performance and production on the football field do the talking for them. But that all changes when it comes to rallying around a teammate.

Verse is not foolish. He understands that comments before a game can serve to motivate opponents. But in the same fashion, it can serve to motivate his own players too. But by declaring Eagles fans to be disrespectful, he has placed an emotional bounty on his head. But he has also become the standard bearer of the LA Rams team. In a game of inches, that could be just enough for this Rams team to sneak out of Lincoln Financial Field with an upset victory.

(4) - To earn respect from Eagles fans, you have to call them out

East Coast NFL fans are a bit rough around the edges. They are the first to critique their team for underwhelming performances. As we had cited above, the harshest critics of Eagles players and coaches who did not live up to expectations are the Eagles fans themselves. And as is always the case, that harsh treatment is magnified by any signs of fear. Whenever facing the Philadelphia Eagles, it's be brave, or go home.

Are Eagles fans bullies? I don't know that I would categorize them as such. But I do acknowledge that some fans go overboard in their zeal to support the team. That can lead to lines being crossed. Eagles fans have been known to rebuke spouses and children who support opposing teams. And sometimes, the reports are terribly disappointing.

But much like facing the playground bully, opposing players cannot back down from the challenge. Even worse than commenting about Eagles fans is admitting that their trolling and ridiculing can result in mental mistakes. Some of the most hated foes in Eagles history are those players who used the ire of Eagles fans to fuel their performance.

But perhaps even more importantly, Jared Verse has set the stage. He will not be intimidated by playing on the road in front of a hostile crowd. And he won't let his teammates be intimidated either.

Respect is not given in the NFL. Rather, it is earned over time. And it is earned by saying what you mean and then going out and delivering on the football field. Eagles fans know and understand this all too well, even if reluctantly when it involves opposing players. Verse has called out Eagles fans. Now, all he has to do is show up and produce. He won't be loved by Eagles fans, but they will respect him.

(3) - Jared Verse is a lightning rod of the team

Nobody should ignore the fact that the LA Rams roster is young. In fact, this is the second youngest roster in the NFL for 2024. And youth brings its own set of qualities and characteristics that gives the Rams an advantage. But youth comes with deficits too. And one of the most significant disadvantages of the Rams roster as currently constructed is the lack of postseason experience.

The deeper that this Rams roster advances in the post-season, the more pressure mounts on each and every player to produce.

The LA Rams won Super Bowl LVI. That feat was accomplished three seasons ago. But if you examine the current Rams roster, you will find that only eight players who had meaningful roles in that game remain on the team: Four on offense, four on defense, and none on special teams.

So the team is up to its own devices in terms of forging ways to win games in the win-or-go-home scenarios that they now face. That pressure can be felt by all players, or concentrated on one or two players. Right now, pressure is concentrating on rookie edge rusher Jared Verse. And that is exactly how we wants this game to play out.

Verse is built to be an in-your-face type of player. It suits him, because he is more than just a force to be reckoned with on the football field. He is passionate about the game. So passionate that he invites the best from his opponents to ensure that his own development tracks constantly in a positive direction. He does not play quietly, because he will get a ho-hum effort from his opponent.

He applauds double teams. He embraces the chance to compete against NFL All-Pro offensive linemen. He understands that the more opposing teams focus on blocking him, the better and more numerous opportunities he creates for his teammates.

(2) - With his comments, Verse controls the narrative

There are many tales to be shared before, during, and after the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs. Many of those tales will tell themselves. The story of how well the Rams' defense can shut down Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is a main topic. How well can the Rams offense perform in snowy conditions is another.

In one slip of the tongue, Rams rookie Jared Verse created a narrative for the game, and controls that narrative.

The obvious reaction to Verse making comments about Eagles fans is how those comments will incite players to ensure that they will block him on every play. But what about the pressure on Eagles offensive linemen? What's good for the goose is good for the gander, and the sama fanbase that hates to be disappointed now expects OT Jordan Mailata to punish Verse on every play.

But Verse will win some plays as well as lose some plays. But as fans focus on Verse, they will be surprised to find just how well the Rams match up to the elite Eagles offensive line:

Eagles fans are not to be trifled with. Verse faces the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs. These two teams will face off in 2025 as well, as both ended 2024 in first-place. But Eagles players continue to play for caustic fans if they disappoint them. Verse has been getting better and stronger all season long.

Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata is very good, but he has plateaued as a veteran NFL offensive tackle.

(1) - Jared Verse is fueled by fans reactions

Some players try to block out the noise, cheers, and boos from the fans in the stands and focus upon playing football. But that has never been the strategy of rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse. His is a powerhouse who plays much stronger than you might expect. And he gets that extra energy by tapping into the emotions of fans.

Eagles fans know all about that. One of their elite players, former NFL HOF safety Brian Dawkins, used the fans' emotions to inspire and fuel his on-field feats. It was a symbiotic relationship, as fans loved Dawkins and he loved them. The more they cheered him on, the better he played.

Rams OLB Jared Verse is wired the same way. So why did he taunt Eagles fans, all but guaranteeing that they would greet him with a cascade of boos?

Passion is not love. Passion can be both love or hate. And much like Dawkins, Verse is fueled by fans' passionate responses. When visiting Vikings fans disrespected Rams injured defensive back Kamren Curl, Jared Verse was enraged and upped his game. His Week 8 performance was one of his best performances of 2024

That was merely an appetizer of what Verse will be serving up. Eagles fans are a passionate NFL fanbase. Imagine their dismay to discover that Rams OLB Verse can convert that passion on a football field to be used against them? This team has not had a player like Verse, and the benefits of boasting a player who can channel fans energy into football production is something that Rams fans will grow to love.

The Rams may win or lose the game at Lincoln Financial Field. But it won't be due to Jared Verse's comments. Verse has made the first move. As a result, he has already gotten in the heads of Eagles players.

As always, thanks for reading.

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