Packers 2026 Offseason

[JosephC]

At the combine, Gutekunst was asked about Van Ness' 5th year option, and Gutekunst immediately replied with, "you don't make decisions based on what a player has been, you make decisions on what you think a player could be."  That is typical GM-speak for, "he has not earned that 5th year option, but I spent a #1 pick on him so we will be picking up the option."  Common-sense man would look and say, "is the previous 3 years an unreliable indicator of what Van Ness will be in year #5?"

Ultimately, there will be two things that play key roles in the Van Ness decision.  First, will Van Ness be a fit for Gannon's defense?  Second, it will be more of a cap decision based on extensions and releases.  I would think they would prioritize extensions to Watson, Kraft, Nixon and others over committing money to Van Ness.  Then they have to come up with a plan for likely releases, that would probably start with Jacobs, Banks, Hargrave and McManus.  Do the math.  Add in the money for the extensions that they anticipate getting done, subtract out the money that they would free up with anticipated cuts, and then they have to see if they have roughly 15 million left over.

[CheezWizHed]

49 minutes ago, JosephC said:

Common-sense man would look and say, "is the previous 3 years an unreliable indicator of what Van Ness will be in year #5?"

I think the main difference between Enagbare and LVN is that Enagbare's development is maxed and LVN still has ceiling he could achieve. Doesn't mean he will reach it... just that there is an opportunity. 

 

50 minutes ago, JosephC said:

First, will Van Ness be a fit for Gannon's defense?  

This is a very good point that isn't totally clear.