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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
The Green Bay Packers are making a $13.8 million commitment to disappointing first-round edge rusher Lukas Van Ness following last week’s 2026 NFL draft.
According to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, the Packers are picking up the fifth-year option for Van Ness — the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 draft — ahead of the league deadline for teams to exercise options on May 1. The move will lock him into place with the team for the 2027 season with a fully guaranteed salary of about $13.75 million.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky also confirmed Schneidman’s report about Van Ness’ future.
“Source: Packers picked up the fifth-year option for edge Lukas Van Ness,” Schneidman wrote April 30 on X. “Per [Over the Cap], that guarantees his 2027 salary at about $13.8 million. [He] enters 2026 as No. 2 edge behind Micah Parsons. Team appears confident in a healthy LVN after he missed half of last year with a foot injury.”
Van Ness has tallied 8.5 sacks in 43 games for the Packers over the past three seasons, making his fifth-year option decision seem like a toss-up for the franchise with one of the league’s most talented pass rushers — Parsons — on the roster at a high-end cost.
With Parsons possibly out for the start of the 2026 season and Rashan Gary no longer on the roster, though, Van Ness should have an opportunity to open his fourth season as the Packers’ top starting edge rusher and earn his option price before 2027 arrives.
Jordan J. Wilson is a sports reporter who covers the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. He has previously covered all levels of sports — high school, college and pro — for a variety of publications including The Indianapolis Star, The News-Gazette, Springfield State-Journal Register and Peoria Journal Star. More about Jordan J. Wilson