Coach Todd Monken's Cleveland Browns are living a charmed life with a 4-2 record heading into Week 7 at Tennessee, amid a crucial Denzel Ward injury situation. The Browns got two key defenders back in practice and are hoping for a big game against Cam Ward and the Titans.

Leading up to the game, Monken was interviewed by ESPN's Rich Eisen and shared what he told Verse after he was traded for franchise legend Myles Garrett, who plays the same position.

“Well, first of all, I basically said, ‘Isn't it cool to be wanted? Right? We wanted you here,'” Monken said.

“I mean, we would not have done the trade without him involved in it. We would not have done it for just future picks, so, it's good to be wanted, and it's basically just, be you, you don't have to be Myles Garrett, Myles is already taken, just be you, and it's a different system for him, you know he's really playing defensive end, not outside linebacker, and I think he's continued to work at it,” the Browns coach added, saying they've been pleased with the way he works and goes about his business.

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Monken also said that Verse was shocked after the trade, and that the defensive end hasn't been satisfied with his production so far this season, as he does not have a sack. Ward has taken 10 sacks so far this season, making him a prime target for Verse and his teammates on the road in Week 6.

A sack against Ward, and a victory, will go a long way toward establishing Verse and the Browns' legitimacy heading toward the midway point of the 2026-27 NFL season.