Packers Back Lucas Van Ness, and Questions Grow About RB Depth

Packers Back Lucas Van Ness, and Questions Grow About RB Depth

From Jen, Gabe & Chewy by Wisconsin On Demand

May 1, 2026 · 46 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the Packers' decision to exercise Lucas Van Ness' fifth-year option and the implications of that choice.

Jen, Gabe, and Chewy spend the 7AM hour reacting to the Packers’ decision to exercise Lucas Van Ness’ fifth-year option, a move that surprised much of the fan base and sparked immediate debate about whether his production has truly justified that kind of commitment. Jen and Gabe break down the thinking behind the move, exploring whether the Packers are betting on future upside rather than past results, and whether the cost is reasonable given how expensive pass rushers have become around the league. Chewy pushes back hard, arguing the decision feels more like a gamble and a face-saving move than a reward for actual performance. The crew also compares Van Ness to other recent 13th overall picks, showing just how far his numbers trail players who made immediate impact for their teams. That leads to a broader discussion about Brian Gutekunst’s drafting philosophy, how often the Packers bet on traits over proven production, and whether Micah Parsons’ presence on the opposite side of the defense should finally put Van Ness in a position to succeed. Later in the hour, Jason Wilde joins the show and adds his perspective on the decision, explaining why the Packers likely view the option…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jen, Gabe, Chewy

Guest: Jason Wilde

Topics covered

  • Packers
  • Lucas Van Ness
  • RB Depth
  • drafting philosophy
  • pass rushers
  • contract decisions

Keywords

  • Lucas Van Ness
  • Packers
  • fifth-year option
  • pass rushers
  • Brian Gutekunst
  • drafting philosophy
  • contract year
  • Jason Wilde

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Green Bay, Packers, NFL

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