Official 2026 Free Agency/Offseason/Non-Draft Thread

[bobblehead]

He let Quay Walker go. Let Hobbs go after 1 year. He is capable of cutting his losses.

But not this time. Van Mess got the 5th

[Joemailman]

No brainer at that price, IMO.

I may be in the minority, but I thought he played better last year. In the playoff loss he was pretty active.

He did player better last year when he was in there. But he's gotta stay healthy. Really played in only 8 games last year. With Parsons out and Gary gone, he should be a starter for the 1st time in his career.

[George Cumby]

No brainer at that price, IMO.

I may be in the minority, but I thought he played better last year. In the playoff loss he was pretty active.

[pbmax]

The Leviathon has had his option exercised. LVN signed through 2027.

Acme Packers Company reporting The Athletic's Matt Schneiderman reporting:

According to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, the Green Bay Packers will be picking up edge rusher Lukas Van Ness’ fifth-year option, which means he will make $13.8 million in guaranteed money in 2027.

[Teamcheez1]

The answer was Yea.

[Bretsky]

He is still quite young - as young as a few of the guys the Packers just drafted. Presumably, he's advanced from where he was when they drafted him, yet is still young. He's primed for a breakout year - why wouldn't you keep him? He's young and talented and apparently $13 mill a year is not all that much for an EDGE defender. Enagbare got $11 mill a year.

Do it, Guter!

Have you went insane on me ?

You don't offer Lucas Van Ness because he sucks

No production, and a horrible decision by an overrated GM

[MadScientist]

He is still quite young - as young as a few of the guys the Packers just drafted. Presumably, he's advanced from where he was when they drafted him, yet is still young. He's primed for a breakout year - why wouldn't you keep him? He's young and talented and apparently $13 mill a year is not all that much for an EDGE defender. Enagbare got $11 mill a year.

Do it, Guter!

He's a year older than the oldest draft pick and 4 years older than the youngest. Age is not the thing, production and projected production is. The reason not to keep him is if the Packers think they can replace what they expect out of LVN in 27 with someone cheaper. I don't know what he's like behind the scenes, and I don't have any clue what the Packers' evaluation of him is. So far he hasn't shown much and he's been inconsistent.

I won't be upset if they do pay him for year 5, because the Packers know a hell of a lot more about him than I do.

[Joemailman]

Is the 5th year a team option? If we offer it, LVN does not get to decline it to play for another team, correct? I've never heard of a player declining the rookie extension, and surely there would have been one whose opinion is higher than the 5y offer.

It's a team offer. The player can't decline it, and it's 100% guaranteed so the team can't change their mind.

[NewsBruin]

Is the 5th year a team option? If we offer it, LVN does not get to decline it to play for another team, correct? I've never heard of a player declining the rookie extension, and surely there would have been one whose opinion is higher than the 5y offer.

[Joemailman]

I originally said Nay, but I'm starting to shift a bit. He's not yet 25, and the 5th year option isn't as expensive as what I originally thought, before I went all crazy and looked it up.

[Fritz]

What was invested in him is irrelevant. He really hasn't produced much in 3 years, so the only case that can be made for keeping him is what the staff sees in him. Maybe there's something there, but I'd say no from what I've seen.

He is still quite young - as young as a few of the guys the Packers just drafted. Presumably, he's advanced from where he was when they drafted him, yet is still young. He's primed for a breakout year - why wouldn't you keep him? He's young and talented and apparently $13 mill a year is not all that much for an EDGE defender. Enagbare got $11 mill a year.

Do it, Guter!

[Joemailman]

Oh....and I think Gutes pays him. Cuz he won't admit he fucked it up.

He let Quay Walker go. Let Hobbs go after 1 year. He is capable of cutting his losses.

[bobblehead]

Oh....and I think Gutes pays him. Cuz he won't admit he fucked it up.

[bobblehead]

This is why you don't draft as many projects in todays game (my opinion). They perform just in time to pay them. And if thats the case why not pay a free agent but get 4-5 years of production out of a more ready player?

[Joemailman]

IF LVN believes in himself, he might prefer free agency. With a good year, he could be signing a 4 year deal worth 15-20M per year.