The Green Bay Packers are set to begin training camp in preparation for the 2025 NFL season. After finishing 11-6 last season, Green Bay made the NFL Playoffs with the NFC’s final Wild Card spot for the second consecutive season. As improved as the team looked, though, in 2024 compared to 2023, it was all-too-clear that they were not among the best teams in the conference, going 0-6 against the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings.
And while the Packers signed some notable free agents such as left guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs, they did not address the one position that many fans and analysts thought they should: defensive line.
Green Bay did, indeed, finish in the top-ten in the NFL in sacks as a team last season, but a full one-third of those sacks came from two separate games. The rest of the time, the pass rush struggled to be consistent.
Former Green Bay Packers First Round Pick Lukas Van Ness Has Not Lived Up to Expectations
The Packers first selected Van Ness in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft using the first round pick swap they had from the New York Jets in the Aaron Rodgers trade.
While many predicted that Van Ness would be targeted by Green Bay in that year’s draft, others were not sure it was the right move because, as is the case for all Iowa non-seniors, he did not start a game in college. He was also raw and needed a lot of work on his mechanics and fundamentals.
As a rookie in 2023, Van Ness played just 33% of the defensive snaps and recorded 4.0 sacks. His snap percentage increased to 39% in 2024, but he had just 3.0 sacks in that time.
Entering his third year in the league, many fans are frustrated that he has not been a regular and productive contributor to the defense. However, one NFL analyst believes that will change in 2025.
Bucky Brooks Predicts Lukas Van Ness Will Break Out for the Green Bay Packers
It should be noted that Pro Bowl pass rusher Rashan Gary had a similar role as Van Ness’ when he was first drafted by the Packers as well. That being said, he showed a bit more promise and did get a little more playing time back then.
But renowned NFL analyst Bucky Brooks believes that 2025 will be the season that Van Ness shows why Green Bay took him in the first round two years ago, including him on his 2025 All-Breakout Team:
“After slowly acclimating to the NFL as a rotational player for a talented defense, Van Ness should be ready to make his mark as a pass-rushing specialist off the edge. The 2023 first-round pick has produced seven sacks over two seasons, but more opportunities should yield better results from the Iowa product.
“Whether he is attacking from the edges as a full-time starter or creating chaos as a designated playmaker in a sub-package, Van Ness possesses the size, tools and experience to turn his flashes into disruptive production this fall.”
If Van Ness can improve like Brooks believes he will, the Packers front office will look very smart for not pursuing any pass rushers in free agency. However, if he does not, there will be a lot of frustration from fans as there was earlier this offseason when the position was not addressed.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Packers’ QB Jordan Love Has “Tough” Reaction to Wife’s Vacation Post
- Josh Jacobs Remains “Steady” Engine for Packers Offense
- 3 Packers Starters Added to Injured Lists Ahead of NFL Training Camp
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
