The Green Bay Packers have made a decisive move for their defensive future, officially picking up edge rusher Lukas Van Ness’ fifth-year option. This guarantees the 24-year-old a hefty $13.8 million for the 2027 season, locking him in as a key piece of their pass rush for the long haul.

This decision was widely expected, especially given the shifting dynamics of the edge rusher market. To put it in perspective, former Packer Kingsley Enagbare—now with the New York Jets on a one-year, $10 million deal—is projected as their third option. Van Ness’ 2027 figure falls right in that borderline starter sweet spot, making it a smart investment for Green Bay.

With the departures of Enagbare and Rashan Gary (traded to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason), the starting job is Van Ness’ to lose. He’s expected to line up opposite Micah Parsons once the All-Pro returns from his ACL recovery. Behind them, the depth chart features a mix of youth and experience: 2026 fourth-rounder Dani Dennis-Sutton, 2025 picks Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver, plus veterans Brenton Cox Jr. and Arron Mosby.

Selected 13th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Van Ness has been remarkably durable, appearing in 43 of a possible 45 games over three seasons. The only exception was a foot injury that sidelined him briefly in 2025. His career stats—8.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss on 1,056 defensive snaps—underscore his growing impact. And the trend is clear: his snap count has climbed steadily from 33% as a rookie to 39% in 2024, and up to 45% last season. As he steps into a starting role, the Packers are betting that trajectory only goes up.