That bodes well for Cincy offensive linemen Orlando Brown and Amarius Mims, who no longer have to deal with the NFL’s single-season record holder twice a year. But Brown noted that Jared Verse, part of Cleveland’s return in the deal, remains a formidable opponent and that one player doesn’t make a team go away.
“It doesn’t matter. You still have to go to work on Sunday. Congratulations Myles. That’s how I feel. We still have to go to work,” Brown said. “(Verse) is a young player who is also a great player. Very talented. I have a lot of respect for his game.”
Mims echoed those thoughts.
“That’s the toughest trade, whether it’s Myles Garrett or Jared Verse,” Mims said. “Both great players. Both have been to the Pro Bowl. Verse has been every year he’s been in the league. We come together. Great player. You’ve got to block them both at the end of the day.”
With the Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers going through coaching changes, the Bengals sit as the most stable team in the AFC North. No longer having to face Garrett twice makes their task of climbing back into the postseason a little easier in 2026.