Former first-round draft pick Lukas Van Ness has largely underwhelmed since being taken thirteenth overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2023, only recording seven sacks across his two seasons in the NFL since leaving Iowa, and he’s also been unable to force his way into a permanent role in the starting lineup.
However, his head coach, Matt LaFleur, has backed him ahead of the new season, suggesting he has seen a huge difference in his play so far this offseason.
Matt LaFleur credits a ‘different confidence level’ from Lukas Van Ness, excited about his potential
Speaking about his defensive unit’s growth on Tuesday, Matt LaFleur singled out Van Ness as someone who has improved.
“Lukas has shown a lot of growth,” LaFleur said. “I’m excited to see him once we get pads on, and really all those guys, how they compete. “I just think there’s a different confidence level with him, and the whole group as a whole, Just our ability to get off the football, we spend a lot of time on that. Those guys have taken the coaching, embraced it, and have really worked at it.”
For his part, Lukas Van Ness reflected on last season, explaining he played injured most of last season, with a cast protecting a broken thumb until Week 10. He then went on to explain how a mental block existed even after the cast was removed.
“I wore a full cast until Week 10 or 11, and then had some lingering issues…playing defensive line, it’s all with your hands, so when you’re limited to not using your thumb and a lot of your moves initiate from that, it brings in a mental block and it takes some time to get used to that again,” Van Ness said.
Lukas Van Ness needs to move quickly to secure his long-term future
While it’s good to see flashes of potential from Van Ness, he’s likely to need to hit the apex of his potential if he’s to remain a Green Bay Packer long-term.
His third year will be make-or-break, as the Packers will have a conclusion to draw on his fifth-year option at the end of the season. These are often taken up infrequently in other misfiring draft classes, such as 2022, largely because of the large financial commitment involved, and unless Van Ness displays something far above his current level, he would seem to be on the wrong side of the ledger.
With Rashan Gary currently one of the few players producing along the Packers defensive line, Van Ness reaching his potential would surely help the team provide more of a threat on defense. Despite that, his efforts so far would seem to suggest that he will face an uphill climb to remain with the Packers long-term. At least for now, however, his potential seems to have his coach’s backing.
