Paul Bretl | 4/10/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Perhaps an early-round addition in the NFL draft can provide the Packers with the added pass rush consistency that they need. However, the larger part of that ‘improved-play’ equation is likely going to have to be more steady and impactful play from those already on the roster.
For a defensive front that struggled to produce against the NFC’s best, and overall, ranked 26th in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric, everyone has to be better. But among those who need to take the biggest step forward in 2025 is Lukas Van Ness.
“I think sitting here on April 8 and looking into the season,” Van Ness said prior to leaving for the Packers’ Tailgate Tour, “this is obviously the most important one as it’s the next one ahead.
“Again, 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, ultimately, put the best product on the field on Sundays.”
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In his second NFL season in 2024 and in a Jeff Hafley defense where the defensive front was supposed to have the freedom to pin its ears back, we didn’t see Van Ness take that sophomore leap that so many successful NFL players make.
But instead, Van Ness finished the season with a modest 22 pressures–only two more than he had as a rookie–and three sacks, which was one fewer than he had in 2023. For some context, among all defensive ends, Van Ness ranked 90th in pressures. As the pressure numbers indicate, the consistency wasn’t there with ranking 78th in pass rush win rate as well, according to PFF.
“I think this next step going into next year is not only for myself for this team,” Van Ness said, “but just continue to play hard together, play four consistent quarters of football. Ultimately, if we can do that together, we’ll do pretty well.”
When the Packers drafted Van Ness in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, it was known that he was a bit of a raw defensive end prospect, having played fewer than 1,000 defensive snaps at Iowa with the majority of them coming at the defensive tackle position.
The upside and physical traits were too good for GM Brian Gutekunst to pass on, but it was known that time and reps were needed. At the NFL level, having a pass rush plan is a must because a defender can’t just run through every offensive tackle. So when a pass rusher’s initial move is taken away, what’s Plan B? How do you counter?
Improvement in this facet of the pass rush game specifically can be a catalyst in helping Van Ness take his game to the next level.
While Van Ness’ overall production last season certainly doesn’t leap off the stat sheet, he did start to build momentum over the second half of the season. Of his 22 pressures, 13 of them came from Weeks 12 through 18. He also showcased more consistency, ranking 27th in win rate during that span, and he was 19th in pass rush productivity, meaning that he took advantage of and finished the pass rush reps he had.
“It’s important for all our guys, including Lukas,” said GM Brian Gutekunst at the NFL combine when asked if it’s an important season for Van Ness. “Again, we talked a little bit about we need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players, and Lukas is a big part of that. He does everything he can. He’s everything you want in a professional as far as his work ethic and what he puts into it, and I expect him to take a big jump this year.”
Going beyond the production, however, a potential turning point for Van Ness last season and something that truly showcases his growth as a player at the NFL level came in Week 12 against San Francisco. In that game, Van Ness caused a forced fumble, but that result is not what’s noteworthy. Instead, it’s the process to get to that point.
In the locker room afterward, Rashan Gary mentioned that a few series prior to the fumble, Van Ness had noticed something in how the offensive line was blocking off of play-action and how the defensive front should then attack it. Then when San Francisco presented that look again, Van Ness knew exactly how to respond and took advantage.
“Man it was a great,” said Gary of the play. “A couple series back, Lukas was saying if he gives me the play-action, if we get it, just shoot up field and it was crazy because the play out there was the same play he was getting a couple series ago.
“So it actually showed how locked in he is, and we locked in and you see the formation, you pull the trigger and when you pull the trigger big plays happen and we needed it.”
This will be the first time since Van Ness’ final season at Iowa that he will have been in the same defensive system for consecutive years. That important component coupled with the foundation he seemingly began to establish during the second half of last season will need to result in him–and the rest of the defensive line–making a bigger impact in 2025.
As Gutekunst said earlier this offseason, if the Packers are going to accomplish the goals that they have, they need more consistency from the pass rush, and of course, Van Ness is going to be a big part of making that happen.
“I think we have a great group,” Van Ness added. “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. I love the guys we have in our room. I think we’re all hard-working, we love the game of football, and I’m excited to see what we can do together.”