Packers DE Lukas Van Ness credits freedom of mind for rapid progression to start Year 3

Yahoo

3 days ago

Green Bay Packers edge rusher Lukas Van Ness credits the freeing of his mind and the release of his perfectionist habits for his rapid progression as a player to start his third NFL season.
Following Thursday's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts, in which reporters on the sideline credited him with at least two sacks in 11-on-11 periods, Van Ness said he's thinking less and playing more.
"Just freeing up my mind," Van Ness said. "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."
Van Ness's comments almost perfectly mirror what coach Matt LaFleur said about his progression earlier this month.
"I think Luke always want to be perfect, and this is an imperfect game, and sometimes you just have to go," LaFleur said last week. "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."
Players can become robotic and predictable trying to do the right thing on every snap. Van Ness is learning to trust his football instincts and just attack, knowing he has the size, athleticism and power to make things happen even if everything doesn't go exactly to plan.
As a result, Van Ness has been one of the most disruptive players on the Packers defense throughout training camp. He's really come on as of late during practices, providing early signs of what could be a breakout season in 2025.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said Van Ness is showing "natural growth" from a young player who entered the NFL with limited football experience after being on the field for fewer than 1,000 total snaps at Iowa.
"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."
Van Ness has produced 7.0 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits over 793 total defensive snaps over his first two NFL seasons. Now entrenched as a starter opposite Rashan Gary, Van Ness has a chance to become a full-time player and an edge rusher the Packers count on to disrupt the quarterback during his third season.
The early returns are encouraging.
"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."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers Lukas Van Ness progression to start Year 3