Packers pick up fifth-year option on edge rusher Lukas Van Ness

The Green Bay Packers picked up the fifth-year option on edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, a first-round pick from the 2023 draft. The option extends Van Ness' contract through the 2027 season, keeping him under team control at $14.5 million for 2027. Van Ness had 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 is expected to start at edge rusher in 2026. Van Ness is still only 24 years old, and 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.