Lukas Van Ness News: Fifth-year option picked up
Green Bay exercised Van Ness's fifth-year team option for the 2027 season Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
The move keeps the 24-year-old in the fold through 2027 and guarantees him a salary of around $13.8 million. The defensive end missed half of the 2025 campaign with an ankle injury, which caused him to finish with a disappointing 1.5 sacks and 19 tackles (12 solo) over nine games during the regular season. The 2024 season wasn't much better, as he recorded 33 tackles (22 solo) and six tackles for loss in 17 games, though he least combined for 7.0 sacks over his first two years in the professional ranks. Van Ness will have to adjust to a new defensive setup in 2026 with Green Bay expected to move from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme, but with Micah Parsons (knee) still rehabbing back from a December ACL tear and pass-rush depth lost in the form of Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare, Van Ness should have the opportunity to carve out a larger role.
