Packers pick up Lukas Van Ness’ 5th year option

TL;DR

The Green Bay Packers have exercised Lukas Van Ness' fifth-year option, guaranteeing him $13.8 million for 2027. This decision aligns with the evolving edge rusher market and positions Van Ness as a likely starter this season.

Key points

Packers exercise Lukas Van Ness' fifth-year option
Van Ness will earn $13.8 million in 2027
He has played 43 games and recorded 8.5 sacks in his career
Van Ness is expected to start this season
His snap count percentage has increased each year

Green Bay PackersNew York Jets

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 10: Lukas Van Ness #90 of the Green Bay Packers runs across the field during an NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images According to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, the Green Bay Packers will be picking up edge rusher Lukas Van Ness’ fifth-year option, which means he will make $13.8 million in guaranteed money in 2027. This was an expected move, as the edge rusher market has moved in recent years, putting Van Ness’ 2027 figure in the borderline starter range. For example, former Packers edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare, who hit free agency and signed with the New York Jets this offseason, is expected to be the Jets’ third edge rusher despite being on a one-year, $10 million contract for the upcoming season. Van Ness is expected to start this year, now that Enagbare and Rashan Gary, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, are out of the rotation. The assumption is that Van Ness will be starting opposite of once Parsons returns to the starting lineup following his ACL recovery journey. Behind them will be , a 2026 fourth-round pick, , a 2025 fourth-round pick, and , a 2025 fifth-round pick, on top of and , who have been contributors at different points in their careers. Van Ness, still only 24 years old, was taken 13th overall in the 2023 draft. Over his first three years of his career, he’s been able to play 43 games. The only games he’s missed were in 2025 due to a nagging foot injury. For his career, he’s recorded 8.5 sacks and 17 TFLs while playing 1,056 defensive snaps. His snap count percentage has increased every year that he’s been in the league, as he played 33 percent of defensive snaps in 2023 as a rookie, jumping to 39 percent in 2024 and then 45 percent in 2025.

Q&A

What is the value of Lukas Van Ness' fifth-year option?

Lukas Van Ness' fifth-year option is valued at $13.8 million in guaranteed money for 2027.

How has Lukas Van Ness performed in his NFL career so far?

In his first three years, Lukas Van Ness has played 43 games, recorded 8.5 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss (TFLs).

Why is Lukas Van Ness expected to start for the Packers this season?

Lukas Van Ness is expected to start due to the departures of Kingsley Enagbare and Rashan Gary from the rotation.

Packers pick up Lukas Van Ness’ 5th year option

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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