The Green Bay Packers have made a statement of belief in Lukas Van Ness, picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Iowa, Van Ness entered the NFL as a projection, having played just two college seasons as a rotational defensive lineman. Now, after three seasons that haven't quite met those high expectations, the Packers are signaling that they still see a breakout player in the making—and that injuries, not talent, have been the primary hurdle.
Exercising the fifth-year option, which will pay Van Ness an estimated $14.5 million in 2027 under the defensive end designation, gives him more time to develop into the quality starter the team envisioned on draft day. This move reflects the Packers' patience and confidence that Van Ness's best football is ahead of him, especially as he enters what could be a pivotal third season.
In other Packers roster news, the team is also signing several undrafted free agents following the 2026 NFL Draft. Among them is Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin. The group includes Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones, who completed 56.5% of his passes for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 12 games during his senior year. Drones, who started 34 games over three seasons at Virginia Tech after beginning his college career at Baylor, also brings a dual-threat element, rushing for over 1,847 yards and 22 touchdowns in his college career.
Other notable additions include Illinois offensive lineman Josh Gesky, a five-year starter who earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention after starting all 13 games at left guard in 2025, and Central Florida running back Jaden Nixon, who wrapped up his college career with All-Big honors. Louisville linebacker TJ Quinn, a third-team All-ACC performer in 2025 who led the Cardinals in tackles in both 2023 and 2024, also joins the mix.
These signings, combined with the commitment to Van Ness, show the Packers are building for both the present and the future—stockpiling talent and trusting their development system to turn potential into production.