As the Green Bay Packers get ready for the 2025 season, all eyes are on second year defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness. After a promising but up and down rookie year, Van Ness is focused on proving himself as a building block of the Packers pass rush.
With the team feeling good about the current roster, Van Ness knows this year is big – not just for him but for the defense as a whole.
Brian Gutekunst’s Roster Confidence
At the NFL Combine and league meetings this offseason, General Manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers pass rush has everything it needs. He acknowledged there’s room for improvement but likes the young guys to step up.
“I think we can do everything we need to do with the guys we have on the roster right now,” Gutekunst said last week. “I think there’s a lot of improvement for those guys, not only in Year 2 of a scheme but just individually as well.”
The Packers invested a lot in the defensive line over the last two drafts with guys like Devonte Wyatt , Kingsley Enagbare , Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks and Van Ness. Now the expectation is clear: those guys need to step up and produce.
Van Ness’ Mindset Heading Into 2025
For Lukas Van Ness the message is simple: he’s ready to take the next step. As a first-round pick (13th overall in 2023), Van Ness knows what’s expected of him—and he’s determined to exceed it.
“This is the most important one as it’s the next one ahead,” Van Ness said Tuesday on the Packers Tailgate Tour. “This is my job. I love what I do, I love playing football. My goal every single day is to come to work and put that effort in and then put the best product on the field on Sundays.”
Van Ness showed flashes of brilliance last season—four sacks in a seven-game stretch, including the playoffs—but his overall numbers haven’t lived up to his draft status. In 37 total games (including playoffs) he’s got eight sacks and 17 quarterback hits playing around 30-40% of the defensive snaps.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Change
Van Ness’ journey hasn’t been easy. As a rookie he was asked to go from a hand in the dirt defensive lineman to a stand up edge rusher—a big ask for any player. Then in 2024 new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley went to a 4-3 front and Van Ness had to go back to his old role.
But Van Ness hasn’t used those as excuses. He sees them as opportunities to grow.
“Ultimately it’s part of the game,” Van Ness said. “It’s just a circumstance. At the end of the day I’ve got to continue to take those leaps and grow as a player. Those are just things I’ve had to work through.”
Now, another change is coming his way—one that could be big. The Packers hired DeMarcus Covington as their new defensive line coach to get more consistency out of their pass rushers. Van Ness has only had a few conversations with Covington so far but he likes what he’s seen.
“He’s really easy to talk to,” Van Ness said. “I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
A Focus on Health and Preparation
This offseason Van Ness has been in California and says he’s feeling healthier and stronger than ever. The Packers Tailgate Tour is a nice break from the grind and allows him to connect with fans all over Wisconsin. But once the tour is over it’s back to business as the Packers start their official offseason program.
Van Ness thinks the competition in the D-line room will bring out the best in everyone. Whether the Packers add more edge rushers in the draft or not, he’s confident in the group.
“Whether we take two guys or we take nobody, I think we’re all going to come to work every day, we’re going to compete against each other for our spots and we’re going to work hard,” Van Ness said. “I love the guys we have in our room.”
Why This Season Matters for Van Ness?
With high expectations from the organization and himself, 2025 is a big year for Van Ness. If he can settle into a role and produce what the Packers thought they were getting when they drafted him, he could be a big piece of the Packers’ defense.
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