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Spencer Fano did not have to wait long to find out what NFL life was going to look like. The Cleveland Browns rookie has spent training camp lining up across from Jared Verse, one of the toughest pass rushers on the Browns roster, and the matchup has been anything but comfortable. There have been heated reps, a scuffle and plenty of hand-to-hand battles. However, underneath all of it, Verse sees something valuable. The veteran pass rusher believes Fano is getting better as neither player is willing to give the other an easy rep. Jared Verse Sees Spencer Fano Getting Better Every Day Verse spoke about the daily matchup with Fano on August 17, 2026. Rather than viewing the rookie as just another offensive lineman to beat, Verse said their battles have started teaching him about his own game, too. “I think fighting’s necessary when you get to football. You have to have that edge. He’s a very magnificent player. He’s gotten so much better…I’m starting to learn things from him. I’m starting to learn things about my tendencies, so it’s making me a better player as well.” "I think fighting's necessary when you get to football. You have to have that edge. He's a very magnificent player. He's gotten so much better…I'm starting to learn things from him. I'm starting to learn things about my tendencies, so it's making me a better player as well."… pic.twitter.com/Alk2daYwKF — 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 17, 2026 Verse also praised Fano’s development, saying the rookie has improved significantly since arriving in the Browns. More interestingly, Verse admitted that the reps are helping him recognize his own tendencies. That says plenty about how competitive these practices have become. Fano, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, entered camp competing with Dawand Jones for the Browns’ left tackle job. The rookie eventually won the spot, and the battle with Verse played a role in showing Todd Monken that Fano would not back down from a Pro Bowl-caliber pass rusher. The two have also spent time together after practice. Verse has helped Fano with his footwork, hand placement, and some of the tricks that come with defending an explosive edge rusher. Then they go right back to trying to beat each other the next day. That combination appears to be exactly what Fano needs. The rookie has already called Verse the best player he has faced, while describing him as relentless because he brings the same intensity to every snap. Verse’s speed off the ball and ability to threaten the edge have forced Fano to speed up his own reactions. It is a useful preparation for what awaits him once the games count. Fano will also have to protect either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, two QBs capable of extending plays beyond the initial read. That makes his ability to stay engaged after the first few seconds especially important. For now, though, Verse is giving him the toughest possible classroom. There is no easing into the NFL when your daily assignment is one of the best pass rushers on your own roster, and if Verse is learning from Fano too, the Browns may have stumbled into a practice rivalry that benefits both sides of the ball. Related reading: Former NFL QB Identifies Shedeur Sanders’ Pointer-Finger Issue Behind His Wobbly Passes Cowboys Legend Who Brought Franchise Its First Super Bowl Title Dies at 82 Cam Skattebo Gets Romantic Boost From GF Chloe Rodriguez Before Long-Awaited Giants Return