The Green Bay Packers are expecting a “big jump” from 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness to help power an improved and more consistent pass-rush during the 2025 season.

“We need to affect the quarterback more in the front four, with just four players, and Lukas is a big part of that,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said on Tuesday from the NFL Scouting Combine.

Van Ness, who turns 24 in July, failed to produce the second-year leap in 2024. He created 3.0 sacks and only six quarterback hits across 428 snaps after producing 4.0 sacks and 10 quarterback hits while playing 365 snaps as a rookie.

The Packers’ pass-rush as a whole underwhelmed during Jeff Hafley’s first season as defensive coordinator. Several different times, Gutekunst mentioned the team’s need to get better at disrupting the quarterback with a four-man rush as a key for the Packers in 2025.

Van Ness, who will be entering Year 3 in the NFL and his second year in Hafley’s system, must play a leading role in the improvement.

“He does everything he can. He is everything you want in a professional as far as his work ethic and what he puts into it, and I expect him to take a big jump this year,” Gutekunst said.

Van Ness had a stretch between Weeks 12-16 where he produced 12 total pressures, including sacks against the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. At Pro Football Focus, Van Ness’ pass-rushing grade improved to 65.5 in 2024 — but the Packers need the flashes to become more consistent, for Van Ness and several others up front.

“We need to affect the quarterback with four,” Gutekunst said. “It needs to be more consistent. It needs to be able to control the game when we need to, finish games off…that has to get better if want to accomplish the goals we want to accomplish this season.”