Lukas Van Ness is starting his third NFL season with a noticeable sense of freedom—and it’s showing on the field. The Green Bay Packers edge rusher has always had the talent, but what’s changed recently is his mindset. Gone are the days of overthinking every snap. Now, Van Ness is embracing the chaos of football, trusting his instincts, and letting his natural athleticism take over.
After Thursday’s joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts, Van Ness made a statement that underscored this transformation. On the sideline, he was credited with at least two sacks during 11-on-11 periods. When asked about his performance, he simply said, “Just freeing up my mind. I think the ability has always been there. At times, like Matt [LaFleur] said, I'm a perfectionist and wanted to do the right thing all the time. But this is the game of football, and it's an imperfect game. Sometimes you gotta make the wrong play to go make a play. Not overthink. I think I've opened up my mind to that. It's worked out well so far.”
The Packers’ head coach, Matt LaFleur, couldn’t have put it better. Earlier this month, LaFleur highlighted the same shift in Van Ness’s approach. “I think Luke always wants to be perfect, and this is an imperfect game, and sometimes you just have to go,” LaFleur said. “He's starting to learn that. He was a young player when we drafted him, and he's getting more reps and he's doing a really good job.”
There’s something about the edge position that makes perfectionism a trap. Players can easily become robotic and predictable if they try to do the right thing on every snap. Van Ness is learning to flip the script, trusting his football instincts and attacking with confidence. His size, athleticism, and raw power allow him to take chances, make mistakes, and still create chaos for opposing quarterbacks. It’s this fearless approach that has made him one of the most disruptive players on the Packers’ defense during training camp.
Key Points on Van Ness’s Growth:
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Mindset Shift: Letting go of perfectionism and overthinking.
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Instinct Trust: Using natural ability to make plays rather than overanalyzing.
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Physical Tools: Size, speed, and power allow him to attack aggressively.
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Consistency: Performing at a high level across practice sessions, building trust with coaches.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has noticed the growth too. Coming into the NFL, Van Ness had limited football experience, with fewer than 1,000 total snaps at Iowa. Yet, he’s shown what Gutekunst calls “natural growth.” “He continues to stack days, and he's productive and he's been really, really consistent,” Gutekunst said earlier this week. “I'm excited for what he's going to bring to us this year.”
Looking at the numbers, Van Ness has already made his mark in his first two NFL seasons. Over 793 defensive snaps, he recorded 7.0 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits. These are solid numbers for a young player still finding his footing, and now, entrenched as a starter opposite Rashan Gary, Van Ness has a chance to step into a full-time role as the Packers’ go-to edge disruptor.
The signs from training camp suggest 2025 could be a breakout year. Van Ness has been particularly dominant in recent practices, showcasing his ability to get off the line quickly, turn the corner, and apply pressure to the quarterback. For him, it’s about putting all his tools together—his speed, size, power, and now a liberated mindset.
“I think just using my bigger body, my get-off, my speed,” Van Ness said. “I think I have all the tools, it's just putting it all together, continuing to develop. There's a long way to go, but I'm happy with the progression so far.”
Another exciting factor is his partnership with Rashan Gary. Having a reliable edge presence on the other side allows Van Ness to attack more aggressively, knowing that the defense has balance. This dynamic can make opposing offensive lines think twice before double-teaming either player, which increases the likelihood of Van Ness making game-changing plays.
Why This Matters for the Packers:
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Edge Disruption: Van Ness can pressure quarterbacks consistently, a critical factor in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
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Defensive Flexibility: His ability to play instinctively lets defensive coordinators get creative.
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Long-Term Potential: With continued growth, Van Ness could develop into a cornerstone of Green Bay’s defense for years to come.
It’s worth noting that Van Ness’s transformation isn’t just physical—it’s mental. The freedom to make mistakes and learn from them is often what separates good players from great ones. Coaches like LaFleur and Gutekunst emphasize this growth because it signals maturity and readiness to handle the complexities of a full NFL season.
One of the most exciting aspects of watching Van Ness is how naturally he’s blending his physical tools with football instincts. Early in his career, there was a learning curve—he had to adapt to NFL speed and refine his technique. Now, with experience under his belt, he’s attacking plays with confidence rather than hesitation. And that confidence translates into tangible results on the field.
As training camp progresses, the Packers are getting glimpses of the player Van Ness can become: a disruptive, unpredictable edge rusher who can change the momentum of a game in a single snap. If he continues to build on this foundation, 2025 could mark the year he moves from promising young talent to an established force in the league.
In the end, Van Ness’s story is as much about mindset as it is about skill. By freeing his mind, releasing the pressure to be perfect, and trusting in his natural abilities, he’s carving a path to success. The combination of talent, athleticism, and a new mental approach makes him one of the most intriguing players to watch for Packers fans this season.
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Van Ness Takeaways:
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Freedom in thought fuels aggressive play.
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Perfectionism can hold back potential—sometimes mistakes lead to big plays.
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Pairing instincts with physical tools creates a disruptive edge presence.
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Early signs point to a breakout season in 2025.
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With Van Ness, the message is clear: the player who once worried about doing everything right is now focusing on doing what comes naturally—attacking the quarterback and making plays. And if the past few weeks are any indication, Green Bay fans have plenty to be excited about.
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