The Green Bay Packers made a major splash by acquiring Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2025 season, a move that was expected to strengthen their chances of competing atop the NFC North. Those plans took a significant hit late in the year when Parsons suffered a torn ACL in December, ending his season and preventing him from suiting up in Green Bay’s playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.
Despite the injury-shortened campaign, Parsons made a significant impact during his first season in Green Bay. Across 14 appearances, the star pass rusher recorded 41 total tackles, including 19 solo stops, while adding 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
While Parsons is not expected to return until at least mid October as he continues recovering from his ACL injury, the Packers star has already identified who he believes could be next in line for a breakout season. Parsons recently pointed to teammate Lukas Van Ness, suggesting the young pass rusher has flown under the radar and deserves far more attention than he has received.
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“Luke is someone people sleep on the most, and I don’t know why,” Parsons remarked via Packers beat reporter Matt Schneidman.
“I think by the end of the season, if Luke stays healthy… he’ll probably be the [fan] favorite. That’s how much confidence I have in him.”
When asked whether Van Ness could eventually surpass him as a fan favorite among Packers supporters, Parsons did not seem concerned. Instead, he offered a lighthearted response, showing support for his teammate while embracing the friendly nature of the question.
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“I’m already a favorite, but I definitely think I’m going to have my hands full with Luke on who’s going to be the best,” the Packers star edge rusher continued.
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Since entering the league as the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Van Ness has steadily built a productive résumé with the Packers. Through his first three seasons, he has recorded 84 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, 34 pressures, and one forced fumble, showing flashes of the disruptive potential that made him a first round selection.
