For the third time, a Rams player has won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Jared Verse earned this honor along with Pro Bowl selection this past season. His teammate, Braden Fiske, secured third in the voting.

Verse becomes the first Rams player to win the award since Aaron Donald in 2014, and follows Isiah Robertson, who first won the title in 1971.

In the 2025 season, Verse recorded 4.5 sacks and 66 tackles (11 for loss), alongside two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Notably, he returned a fumble for a score during a wild-card playoff matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Verse’s exceptional performance was pivotal for the Rams, leading them to a playoff berth for consecutive years, while also marking their first playoff victory since clinching a win against the Bengals in Super Bowl XLVI.

Jared Verse remarked, “I thought I was getting fired,” upon learning of his Pro Bowl selection. He added, “I took a nap after practice and I got three calls from Coach McVay. I thought I was in trouble but it felt amazing to be chosen.”

It’s safe to say that Verse was already prepared for the DROY recognition, which he received during the NFL Honors event.