Van Ness's Contract Year: Make or Break

0:00On March 30th, Packer's edge rusher Lucas Van Ness faces a pivotal moment with his fifth-year option looming. The team has until May 1st to decide on picking it up, which will lock him in for $13.75 million, fully guaranteed. Through the 2027 season, the client and he hits free agency next offseason after his rookie deal ends. Experts like ESPN's Jason Wilde are calling it a done deal that Green Bay passes. Wilde and former Packer Mark Towsher both see no way they commit that cash right now. Van Ness has dealt with scheme shifts from three four to four three defenses, a broken thumb, foot injuries missing five or six games, and he never. Even started at Iowa. Analyst points at his inconsistency as the big red flag, despite some bright spots. Last year, he hit a career high of 27 pressures per PFF, even missing eight games, but sacks dropped to just 1.5. Fans still cringe over passing on studs like Christian Gonzalez and Jackson Smith and Jigba at pick 13 in 2023.

1:05Team moves open doors for him, though, with Rashon Gary traded in Kingsley and Igbara a gone in free agency. Even if they draft another pass rusher early, Van Ness gets shots to start soon, while Micah Parsons heals from his torn ACL. He has only two career starts in three years, but opportunity knocks loud this season. Bottom line, it's all on Van Ness to ball out and prove his first round worth, or the Packers Micah ties with a top 15 pick after four years. This contract year could redefine his whole path.