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GREEN BAY − Since the Green Bay Packers drafted Lukas Van Ness with the 13th overall pick in 2023 after only two college seasons as a rotational defensive lineman at Iowa, his career has been based on projection.
The Packers believed Van Ness would develop into a pass rusher worthy of a first-round draft selection. After three years of underperforming those expectations, they still believe Van Ness is on his way to being a quality starter on their defensive line.
The Packers extended Van Ness’ runway to reach that standard, exercising the fifth-year option in his rookie contract, according to multiple reports. The extension is expected to pay Van Ness $14.5 million in 2027 under the defensive end designation, according to independent salary cap expert Ken Ingalls.
Van Ness would have entered the final year of his rookie deal this fall without the fifth-year option. After a disappointing 2024, Van Ness rebounded to be a more disruptive pass rusher off the edge last season. He just wasn’t on the field enough, injuring his foot while sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco in October. Van Ness missed the next five games, returning in late November against Minnesota. He played only six snaps before exiting against the Vikings, missing the next two games.
In his third season, Van Ness finished with 1.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits. He added a sack against Caleb Williams in the playoffs. Van Ness’ production has declined in each of his three seasons after finishing with four sacks in a promising rookie year, but the injury put a significant dent in his numbers last fall.
The Packers aren’t just hoping Van Ness can fulfill the potential they believed he had entering the 2023 draft. After trading Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys this spring, they’re counting on it. Micah Parsons is expected to miss at least the first month of this season as he returns from a torn ACL, creating a void for a healthy Van Ness to emerge as one of the Packers most-important players in their defensive front.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Lukas Van Ness gets fifth-year contract option from Packers | Reports
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The Packers believed Van Ness would develop into a pass rusher worthy of a first-round draft selection. After three years of underperforming those expectations, they still believe Van Ness is on his way to being a quality starter on their defensive line.
The Packers extended Van Ness’ runway to reach that standard, exercising the fifth-year option in his rookie contract, according to multiple reports. The extension is expected to pay Van Ness $14.5 million in 2027 under the defensive end designation, according to independent salary cap expert Ken Ingalls.
Van Ness would have entered the final year of his rookie deal this fall without the fifth-year option. After a disappointing 2024, Van Ness rebounded to be a more disruptive pass rusher off the edge last season. He just wasn’t on the field enough, injuring his foot while sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco in October. Van Ness missed the next five games, returning in late November against Minnesota. He played only six snaps before exiting against the Vikings, missing the next two games.
In his third season, Van Ness finished with 1.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits. He added a sack against Caleb Williams in the playoffs. Van Ness’ production has declined in each of his three seasons after finishing with four sacks in a promising rookie year, but the injury put a significant dent in his numbers last fall.
The Packers aren’t just hoping Van Ness can fulfill the potential they believed he had entering the 2023 draft. After trading Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys this spring, they’re counting on it. Micah Parsons is expected to miss at least the first month of this season as he returns from a torn ACL, creating a void for a healthy Van Ness to emerge as one of the Packers most-important players in their defensive front.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Lukas Van Ness gets fifth-year contract option from Packers | Reports
Continue reading...
