The Green Bay Packers are picking up the fifth-year option on edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, a first-round pick from the 2023 draft, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
The option extends Van Ness’ contract through the 2027 season, keeping him under team control at $14.5 million — fully guaranteed — for 2027. Declining the option would have put Van Ness into a contract year in 2026.
The Packers had until Friday, May 1 to make the decision on Van Ness’ option. Back in January, Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire detailed why the Packers were likely to pick up the option.
The 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Van Ness had endured a slow start to his NFL career, producing 7.0 sacks over 34 games during his first two seasons before tallying only 1.5 sacks over nine games during an injury-plagued 2025 season.
With Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare departing this offseason, Van Ness will be expected to start at edge rusher in 2026.
There were signs of a breakout third season developing for Van Ness in 2025 before a lingering foot injury in October stalled his progress. He did produce a sack and a forced fumble during the Packers’ playoff loss in Chicago.
Van Ness is still only 24 years old. The Packers are banking on his best football arriving soon. At under $15 million for the 2027 season, Van Ness will be considered a bargain if he breaks out as a legitimate starting edge rusher in 2026.
Last year, the Packers declined the fifth-year option on Quay Walker — who ended up leaving in free agency this March — and exercised the option on Devonte Wyatt.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers pick up fifth-year option on edge rusher Lukas Van Ness
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
