The Green Bay Packers have made somewhat of a surprising move just a few days after the 2026 NFL Draft. A 24-year-old defender received an extension from the team that not all fans saw coming. The news was first reported on Thursday afternoon. Here are the details.
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Packers Extend 24-Year-Old Defensive End
A source confirmed to ESPN on Thursday that Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness had his fifth-year option picked up despite only recording 8.5 sacks in his first three seasons in the league:
The deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options for all 2023 first-round picks is Friday.
Van Ness is now expected to make $13.8 million, fully guaranteed via the option, in 2027. He will make a little more than $3 million this coming season, which would have been the final year of his contract had the Packers passed on the option year.
“I would’ve liked to get those games back that he missed this past year because he was playing at such a high level for us,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekusnt said earlier this offseason. “Anytime you miss those kind of games in a year, it kind of stunts you a little bit.
He was playing very well for us. It’s always tough to get back to that level when you have that pause in the season. We feel really good about him, where he’s headed, what he’s done for us so far and what he’ll do for us in the future.”
Lukas Van Ness’s Full NFL Career
- 43 total games played
- 2 games started
- 1 pass deflection
- 1 forced fumble
- 1 fumble recovery
- 8.5 career sacks
- 84 total tackles
- 58 solo tackles
- 17 tackles for loss
- 23 quarterback hits
Van Ness will be given a real shot in 2026 to show he can prove his first round pick value. With Micah Parsons expected to miss the first month (or so) of the 2026 season, Van Ness will need to step up to keep Green Bay’s pass rush respectable.