How the Rams' pass rush is driving the D - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — When Jared Verse met with Los Angeles Rams outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio during the predraft process in 2024, he was pretty sure he knew how the interview had gone.

«I thought he hated me,» Verse said. «I thought there was no way in hell I was coming to the Rams, because I thought he hated me. He didn't laugh or smile at all during our meeting.»

Coniglio laughs when he hears Verse share that story, because what he remembers from that Zoom call was walking out of his office to talk to defensive line coach Giff Smith to tell him how much he loved Verse and how he thought the Florida State defensive lineman would be «a great fit» in Los Angeles.

Now, almost two seasons into their partnership — and one NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award later — Verse, alongside outside linebacker Byron Young, is thriving in L.A. As the pair has gotten to know each other, the resulting trust has helped shape a pass rush that lets their personalities come through on the field.

Young has 24 quarterback hits this season, which is the seventh most in the NFL, and Verse has 22 (10th), according to ESPN Research. The Rams, who play at the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday (8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon), are one of two teams with multiple players in the top 10 in QB hits this season. The connection between Verse and Young — one that has grown in the past two seasons — has turned into a crucial part of the identity of the Rams' defense.

«They're really good football players that I think have nice complementary skill sets,» Rams coach Sean McVay said of Young and Verse. «They love and care about each other. I think Joe Coniglio does such a great job setting the temperature and the tone for that room, giving guys the freedom to be