CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 in a Thursday night game at Huntington Bank Field. Kicker Andre Szmyt made a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to win the game.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse recorded zero sacks but led the team with nine quarterback pressures through the first four games of the season. Verse was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the No. 19 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and was a Pro Bowler in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The Browns acquired him from the Rams in June as part of a trade for Myles Garrett.

Jared Verse said: "I can't wait to see them again. It's going to be a great time when I see them again." He said: "I think the measure of a great player is how you can elevate those around you. Even if I'm not getting the stats that I want, every player wants, as long as my teammate and as long as we get the W, that's all that matters. That's what I get paid for."

"This ain't the old Browns. It's got new swag. We're a lot more aggressive. We're getting after it a lot more. This is something different here. We're going to make this whole city rock," he said.

He also directed criticism at opposing players for their conduct during the contest. They were talking crazy. I was telling them, 'Y'all double-teaming and sliding and you're garbage.' I don't have respect for anybody that plays too dirty and does too much extra [profanity] after the game," he said."

The Browns defense recorded five sacks and two turnovers in the victory. Defensive ends Isaiah McGuire, Adin Huntington, and Sam Williams joined defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Mike Hall Jr. in recording sacks against Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Cornerback Denzel Ward intercepted Rodgers in the second quarter, and safety Grant Delpit added another interception in the fourth quarter.

Quincy Williams said: "They be barking. We be biting. That's it."

Linebacker Carson Schwesinger led the Cleveland defense with nine combined tackles. The Browns rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 268 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, completing 24 of 33 passes.

Pittsburgh mounted a late rally to narrow the deficit. Aaron Rodgers scored a two-point conversion to tie the game at 24 with 1:42 remaining. Verse committed an offsides penalty that allowed the Steelers to attempt the conversion. The Browns incurred 14 penalties for 88 yards in the game.

The victory marked the first time the Cleveland Browns have started 3-1 since the 2021 season. The team currently holds a negative point differential on the season. According to Stats Perform, the Browns are the only team in NFL history to have fewer touchdowns, fewer made field goals, fewer rushing yards, fewer net passing yards, more turnovers, and more penalties than their opponents through four games and still have a winning record.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost five consecutive games at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns are in first place in the AFC North.

Timeline

Jared Verse was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the No. 19 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on April 1, 2024. On December 31, 2025, Verse recorded 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 58 combined tackles in the 2025 season. The Cleveland Browns acquired Jared Verse from the Los Angeles Rams in June as part of a trade for Myles Garrett on June 1, 2026.

The Cleveland Browns defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 on September 10, 2026. The team defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 on September 17, 2026. On September 28, 2026, Jared Verse had six quarterback pressures in the Cleveland Browns' 21-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The Cleveland Browns defeated the Carolina Panthers 21-18 on that same date. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg moved Jared Verse around more in the game against the Carolina Panthers, including snaps in the box at defensive end and defensive tackle, also on September 28, 2026.

What's New

Additional details established that the Cleveland Browns can exercise a fifth-year option on Jared Verse's contract in 2027, as he is in the third year of his rookie deal. He stated, "I think me and him had the similar mindset that, since we came here, we had to be the super hero, Superman and everything like that. And that's not who I am. I'm not like that. The Hulk don't wear a cape. I just run through people. I'm just aggressive. I think Quincy is the exact same way. It's just aggressive. We all just got to do a one of 11 instead of trying to do everyone else's job."

The final score was recorded as Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns — Cleveland Browns 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 24 [Final]. The Cleveland Browns incurred 14 penalties for 88 yards in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cleveland Browns out-gained the Pittsburgh Steelers by 11 yards in the game.

Brian Angelichio said, "Obviously, Myles was a really, really good player, who you guys know very well, having to play him twice a year. And Jared Verse is a really, really good player. Verse is a handful as well. You've got to have a plan, be prepared. He's a guy that is stout versus the run. He's a powerful rusher. I've got a lot of respect for Jared." The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost five consecutive games at Huntington Bank Field, including their latest 27-24 loss to the Browns on October 1, 2026.

Why It Matters

The Cleveland Browns' victory places them in first place in the AFC North with a 3-1 record, their best start since the 2021 season. Despite holding a negative point differential and committing more penalties and turnovers than their opponents, the team remains undefeated in divisional play at home. The Pittsburgh Steelers have now lost five consecutive games at Huntington Bank Field, showing a persistent struggle for the visiting franchise in Cleveland.

Jared Verse's acquisition via trade for Myles Garrett represents a shift in the Browns' defensive strategy. Verse leads the team in quarterback pressures despite having zero sacks through four games, illustrating a high-pressure, low-conversion approach that has nonetheless contributed to wins. The team's ability to win while statistically underperforming in traditional metrics such as yards and touchdowns marks a unique historical anomaly, as noted by Stats Perform data identifying them as the only team in NFL history to achieve a winning record under such conditions through four games.