Lukas Van Ness has something to build on with the Green Bay Packers in 2026. After an injury-hit 2025 season, the defensive end has started producing more consistently and giving Green Bay a lift up front. The Packers need that kind of contribution as they look to make a deeper run this season. For Van Ness, the challenge now is to continue proving he can be a reliable presence on the defensive line.
Lukas Van Ness Is Giving Green Bay More Pass-Rush Help
Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness (90) is shown during organized team activities Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Green Bay, Wis.
The Packers selected Van Ness with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Expectations came with that selection, but injuries limited his progress last season. He played nine games in 2025 and finished with 1.5 sacks.
This season has offered a better start. Van Ness recorded a sack against the Minnesota Vikings on September 13 and added 1.5 sacks against the New York Jets on September 20. He then went without a sack against the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before getting to the quarterback again in Green Bay's 23-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys on October 18.
That sack took his season total to 3.5 through six weeks. The numbers are a positive sign for the Packers, although Van Ness still needs to maintain that production over a full season.
Green Bay could use more pressure from its defensive front. With opposing offenses looking for ways to exploit the defense, Van Ness has a chance to become a more consistent part of the pass rush.
Van Ness Trusts the Packers' Defensive Leaders to Find a Way Forward
The Packers had a rough night against Atlanta on Sept. 24. The Falcons won 35-14 and finished with 498 total yards, including 242 on the ground. Green Bay struggled to stop the run and gave up too many big plays.
Van Ness did not call for major changes. Instead, he pointed to the experience inside the locker room when he spoke to reporters ahead of the Oct. 4 game against Tampa Bay.
“Just leaning on the veteran leadership with guys like Zaire and X [Xavier McKinney] that have been through the trials and tribulations,” Van Ness said, according to Roundtable Sports' October 2 report. “We believe in the guys that we have in this building.”
The Packers followed the Atlanta loss with a 17-14 win over Tampa Bay. They then beat the Bears 31-7 and the Big D 23-13, putting together three straight victories.
Van Ness has played his part, but the bigger test is keeping it going. If he can continue to pressure quarterbacks and help Green Bay handle opposing running games, he could become an even more valuable piece of the Packers' defense.
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