Jared Verse would love chance to play with Bears’ Montez Sweat

The Chicago Bears are sitting with two top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL draft. And while most of the talk has been about Chicago most likely taking quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1, there hasn’t been nearly as much discussion about the Bears’ decision at ninth overall.

Chicago will have several options at that spot, depending on how the board falls, where wide receiver and edge rusher are two premium positions that will certainly be on the table.

One option is Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse, who has already met with the Bears at the NFL Scouting Combine. He hopes they got “the real Jared Verse” out of the meeting.

During his media availability Wednesday in Indianapolis, Verse was asked about the opportunity to learn and play with Bears standout edge rusher Montez Sweat, who’s coming off a career season.

“To land with a veteran guy as young guy he’ll be able to direct me in the right path,” Verse said, via Cassie Carlson. “…Hope I can get the guidance I need.”

Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse said he has met with the Bears and hope they got “the real Jared Verse” out of their meeting.

Obviously said he’d relish the chance to learn from and play opposite Montez Sweat

— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) February 28, 2024

While there’s little doubt what the Bears will do with the first overall pick — selecting quarterback Caleb Williams — the bigger discussion is what Chicago will do at ninth overall.

There are several directions they can go, depending on how the board falls. Wide receiver and edge rusher figure to be the top options. And Verse should certainly be in play for the Bears come No. 9 — but he’d argue he deserves to go higher.

“I believe the best player should be picked first and I believe I absolutely deserve to be in that conversation,” Verse said, via Ryan Fowler.