A breakout season from Lukas Van Ness would transform the Green Bay Packers' defense, especially once Micah Parsons returns.
Van Ness has made an underwhelming start to his Packers career, but the team remains committed to him after picking up his fifth-year option. He responded by turning heads during the offseason workout program. Van Ness was arguably the Packers' standout player during OTAs and minicamp.
It's far too soon to draw any real conclusions, but there is one significant reason to be optimistic that Van Ness can turn these encouraging signs into a breakout season: Jonathan Gannon.
Jonathan Gannon could be the key to igniting a breakout season for Lukas Van Ness
Say what you want about Jonathan Gannon the head coach, but there's no denying his track record as Jonathan Gannon the defensive coordinator. Especially with pass-rushers.
Look no further than the Packers' free-agent acquisition, Javon Hargrave.
The two-time Pro Bowler spent two seasons working with Gannon and enjoyed, in Hargrave's own words, his "best years." And he's not wrong. Hargrave had 18.5 sacks across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
The 10-year veteran delivered his two best sack totals in Gannon's system with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Then there is Josh Sweat, who loved his time with Gannon in Philly so much that he followed him to Arizona. It's why there was so much speculation about a potential Packers trade for Sweat this offseason. In terms of sacks, Sweat enjoyed three of his four best seasons while playing under Gannon, totaling 30.5 sacks in 49 games.
How about Haason Reddick?
Reddick has 61.5 career sacks, but his best season came under Gannon in 2022. He made 16 sacks that year, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.
Gannon has a track record of helping pass-rushers reach another level and post career highs in sacks. That's what the Packers need from Van Ness this year, especially if Parsons is out for half of the season.
That's before we even mention how Gannon's scheme could help Parsons.
Van Ness has made the best possible start this year. Of course, it's only the offseason program, and he must back it up at training camp and then take that momentum into the real games. But Van Ness dominating at minicamp is far more promising than if we hadn't heard his name called once.
In Gannon, he has the perfect defensive coordinator to help him finally realize his first-round potential.
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