Pressure Applied: Lukas Van Ness is Tapping into his Potential
By Luke Leavitt
Iron sharpens iron is a phrase you usually would assume derives from competitors on opposing sides going head-to-head. In Green Bay however it appears to be happening within two of the same position, defensive ends Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness. When trading for a 3-time All-Pro edge rusher just 12 days to week 1, the Green Bay Packers made the message loud and clear, a pass rush better than the one they already had was needed. For Van Ness, the 3rd year defensive end out of Iowa reacted as he normally has done so through his young career, with his head down and ready to work. With the addition of a player of Parsons caliber, there is reason to believe this acquisition may provide a deeper reason behind Van Ness living up to his potential.
In one of his first interviews as a Green Bay Packer Micah Parsons was asked about thoughts on his new defensive unit. Lukas Van Ness was the first player mentioned. Highlighting how he plays the run well, getting up vertical creating a quicker path to the quarterback, and certainly being counted on for a bull rush given his speed for the position. Parsons was emphatic that this could be Van Ness’ best year of his career, and he is right, one of the biggest reasons being Parsons himself.
Fast-forward to now Week 7 in the NFL season, the Packers have 2 edge rushers in the top 20 in ESPN’s Pass Rush Win Rate: Micah Parsons 9th (23%) and Lukas Van Ness 19th (18%). In just the first 3 weeks of the regular season, Van Ness compiled 11 rushes compared to a total of 20 in the previous year altogether. Such a drastic improvement in one year can be related to several reasons, one is having one of the most double-teamed edge rushers in the NFL on their side, Micah Parsons. The other reason is the player himself, Van Ness is proving his scouting report coming out of college wrong, utilizing hand attacks to shed blockers, opposed to just relying on bull rushes which was heavily prevalent in his first two years as a pro.
Although nursing a foot injury at the moment, Van Ness has been all over the defensive line, playing on the edges, interior, and facing one-on-ones that may not have been possible without the addition of Micah Parsons. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley can play around with 3 First Round Draft Picks along the defensive line, and if you choose to chip with a tight end, or send a running back to double Parsons, that’ll result in Rashan Gary or Lukas Van Ness the likelihood of facing a one-on-one. When you combine the intangibles #90 already possesses, along with endless opportunities to learn and compete from those around him, the sky is the limit for Van Ness.
In the new age of modern sports where athletes seem to search for a new environment when new competition or adversity hits, Lukas Van Ness is providing a breath of fresh air into making such a situation work. Not only has the impact of Micah Parsons been felt on opposing offenses, it has also allowed young defenders to pick the brain of one of the NFL’s best, and benefit from the lack of attention teams are able to provide elsewhere. Pressure is a huge point of emphasis as a defensive end on the field, but for the player nicknamed “Hercules” coming out of college, it could be internally allowing Lukas Van Ness to explode onto the scene.
Lukas Van Ness is the first player Micah Parsons singles out when asked his impressions of the defense pic.twitter.com/4lqN5Rll9r
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) September 4, 2025
Lukas Van Ness already has 11 pressures this year in just 3 games.
He had 20 all of last season.
We're finally seeing the progress we wanted to see. pic.twitter.com/iH4OyFJB2d
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) September 22, 2025
Lukas Van Ness bull rushes the OG gets the sack from the DT spot pic.twitter.com/OWjQwFw4qa
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 7, 2025
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Luke Leavitt is a Contributor for Cheesehead TV, covering the Green Bay Packers. A Manchester by the Sea, Massachussetts native, Luke is a lifelong Packer fan, and 16-year shareholder. Keep up with Luke on X @LukeLeavitt7
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Comments (7)
ricky
October 16, 2025 at 08:13 pm
There was also a change in DL coach. Gone is Jason Rebrovich, after continued failure to create a pass rush. In came Marcus Covington, and that was apparently a huge change. Van Ness, for example, only had one move- the bull rush. There were reports that LVN was finally being taught to use his hands more, and even use a spin move to get around a blocker. And, yes, the addition of Parsons was very helpful, but better coaching should also be recognized.
Luke Leavitt
October 17, 2025 at 11:58 am
Very true. Liking Covington so far, however there's a lot more to be had with those along the line.
Savage57
October 17, 2025 at 06:28 am
"RASHAN GARY! Paging Rashan Gary!
Please pick up the nearest white courtesy phone."
I thought he was the one supposed to get all the bounce from signing Parsons.
Luke Leavitt
October 17, 2025 at 11:57 am
4.5 Sacks so far on the young season for Gary. I agree however, there is more in tank
Major Snafu
October 19, 2025 at 07:05 pm
No Parsosn now alloows Gary to just coast. He loves coasting did it often in college and why I hated the pick. Im an M guy who hated Gary he was over hype 2.0.
Coldworld
October 17, 2025 at 09:21 am
Van Ness has improved. He’s been a good piece thus far. However, using PFF figures, in 5 games (4.5) he’s managed 16 pressures and 2 sacks and 8 tackles and 1 assist. Gary has 17 pressures & 4 sacks, 7 tackles and 3 assists and most are underwhelmed by his results given the arrival of Parsons.
If one just looks at results, Van Ness hasn’t broken out as a difference maker but he has become a decent rotational player in year 3. That’s not what his draft position suggests was hoped for. So he’s not a bust but he’s not a standout. That’s progress but more the type that relieves rather than excites.
Van Ness has shown he belongs in the NFL as a regular player that a good number here thought would not happen. Good, as far as that goes. He’s nevertheless yet to prove he’s one other teams should fear or can elevate a season for his team. Is this a platform from which he can now truly break out? Perhaps, but until then I would table the excitement this piece suggests.
Major Snafu
October 19, 2025 at 07:03 pm
The game would have been better if Gary played. Too bad he was hurt. Plus missing Van Ness who is looking better and better hurt too. Unfortunately Parsons had to be a one MAN, all others missing in action, wrecking crew. Gary would go missing in big michigan games too, thus why I hated the pick.