Three Big Questions Facing the Green Bay Packers at Defensive End Entering 2025

The Green Bay Packers are set to open training camp later this month. This is the next in a series of articles previewing the Packers position by position, analyzing the talent on the roster and discussing key questions that are facing the team as they begin preparation for the 2025 season. Today we will examine the defensive ends. We will examine another position each day until the start of training camp. To read our quarterbacks analysis, click here, for defensive tackles, click here, for running backs, click here, click here for linebackers, and here for tight ends. These are three big questions facing the Green Bay Packers at defensive end entering training camp in 2025:

The Projected Candidates: Starters: Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness; Backups: Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox; Fighting for roster spots: Deslin Alexandre, Arron Mosby, Collin Oliver, Barryn Sorrell

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Defensive End, Number One: Will Rashan Gary Reach Double Digit Sacks?

Rashan Gary earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career last season. The former Michigan star improved his play against the run while recording 7.5 sacks. This was an adjustment year for Gary as he moved from outside linebacker to defensive end in the new four-man front installed by Jeff Hafley.

The former first round pick has never recorded more than 9.5 sacks in a season in the NFL. He does get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks but needs to finish the play and record more sacks to take the next step forward in his career.

The Packers are hoping he can reach double-digit sacks this season for the first time now that he is healthy and is more comfortable playing in Hafley’s system.

Number Two: Who Starts Opposite Gary?

The Packers traded Preston Smith at his request at the deadline last season. When Smith was dealt, Kingsley Enagbare stepped into the starting role. Enagbare remains a steady contributor and recorded a career high 4.5 sacks last season.

While Enagbare remains reliable, the Packers would prefer to see former first round pick Lukas Van Ness step up and claim the starting job in his third NFL season. Van Ness has yet to start a game in the NFL. He also improved against the run last year, but a broken thumb hampered his pass rush moves although he managed to play in all 17 games.

Van Ness has all the physical tools scouts look for in an edge rusher. He needs to be more consistent and to add counter moves to his repertoire to take his game to the next level.

This will be a critical season for Van Ness. If he cannot take a big step forward in his third NFL season, he may not ever live up to his draft status.

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Defensive End, Number Three: Who Fills Out the Rotation?

At the end of last season, the rotation were starters Gary and Enagbare with Van Ness and Brenton Cox also rotating in. Cox could be a long shot for the starters spot opposite Gary. He finally saw the field in the final seven games of 2024 and recorded four sacks. Cox was on the field for just 35 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in those games, so he was productive when he played. Cox went undrafted because of off the field issues but has undeniable talent.

The Packers added two rookies early on day three of the draft who will also compete for a spot in the rotation. In the fourth round, they selected Barryn Sorrell out of Texas. One round later, they added Oklahoma State’s Collin Oliver. Both players are expected to make the team, but how soon they can become a part of the rotation at defensive end remains to be seen. Until then, they will contribute mostly on special teams if they are on the game day roster.

Arron Mosby made the roster last year after a strong preseason but faces longer odds to make it this year after the addition of Sorrell and Oliver. He will also fight for a role in the rotation but will need another outstanding camp to stick again in 2025.