One of the big questions facing the Green Bay Packers entering training camp concerned the edge rusher group. Specifically, where would the pass rush come from until Micah Parsons returns from his torn ACL which is projected to be sometime in October. As we approach preseason game number two, the Packers have many options at edge rusher, but no sure thing. We examine where the edge rushers stand as of now and the team’s best options.

Packers Have Options at Edge Rusher: The Clear Starter

The Packers have one clear starter in the absence of Parsons and that is Lucas Van Ness. If he stays healthy, he should stay in the lineup even after Parsons returns. The former Iowa star will be starting for the first time as he enters his fourth NFL season. Van Ness recorded a career-high four sacks as a rookie but will need to start living up to his first-round draft position this season.

Van Ness always had the size and athleticism to play in the NFL but has yet to realize that potential on a consistent basis.

Thus far, Van Ness looked good at camp and even recorded a sack in the preseason opener in Pittsburgh in very limited action. He suffered a minor injury in the game but has since returned the practice. The Packers are counting on him to shine and thus far, he has looked good in camp.

Other Options

The Packers still need one other starter until Parsons returns. Second-year men Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver are fighting for that starting job or at least a substantial role in the edge rush rotation. Sorrell finished his rookie campaign with 1.5 sacks. The fourth-round pick out of Texas has played well in training camp and right now has to be considered a leading candidate to start opposite Van Ness in Week 1.

Oliver missed nearly all of his rookie season due to injuries. He played in the season finale against the Vikings and showed flashes of the ability that made him the team’s fifth-round pick in 2025. The Oklahoma State product has made progress in his second training camp but has a longer way to go than Sorrell to play a large role in the edge rotation.

Brenton Cox gives the Packers the most experienced option among the candidates at edge. Every time he’s played for the Packers, he’s gotten pressure on the quarterback. One of his issues has been staying healthy and staying on the field.

Cox has enjoyed a strong camp thus far and should play role in the edge rotation even if he doesn’t win the starting job. He recorded a sack and a tackle for loss at Wednesday’s practice.

Rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton has also made a solid first impression in training camp thus far and should also have a role in the rotation. The Penn State alum worked with Parsons this offseason and has shown promise. The coaches even moved him inside on obvious passing downs, giving him a chance to get on the field in different packages.

Packers Have Options at Edge Rusher: The Outlook

The Packers have plenty of talented choices, but none of the candidates have a proven track record in the NFL.

The most likely scenario will be a rotation that involves at least three and probably four players who will all receive playing time. Head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will likely designate a starter, but as many as four players will see extensive playing time in the rotation. The hot hand will likely get more snaps in any given week.

Getting pressure on the quarterback until Parsons returns will be critical to the success of Gannon’s defense early in the season. Look for him to dial up several different blitz packages like he’s done throughout training camp and in the preseason opener in Pittsburgh.

Adding a veteran remains a possibility, but it’s more likely the Packers stay the course with the young talent they have. They hope they can get enough pressure on the quarterback until Parsons is healthy enough to return. A favorable early schedule could help the defense weather the early part of the season, but ultimately, at least one of these players will have to step up and play well enough to make an impact.

 

 

 

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