Green Bay, Wisconsin – Mike McCarthy, former Green Bay Packers head coach, who is currently leading the Pittsburgh Steelers, is reportedly aggressively pushing his new team to execute a trade to acquire Lukas Van Ness — one of the players he values most highly in Green Bay.
McCarthy, who knows the Packers organization inside out after 13 years as head coach (2006–2018), believes Van Ness is the ideal piece to strengthen the Steelers’ pass rush and fits perfectly into Pittsburgh’s defensive system.
Lukas Van Ness, the Packers’ first-round selection (pick 13) in the 2023 NFL Draft, has shown tremendous potential even though he has not yet fully exploded statistically.
After three seasons, he has recorded 8.5 sacks, 84 tackles, and 17 tackles for loss. Van Ness is famous for his “freakish athleticism,” long arms, and strong run defense.
The Packers exercised Van Ness’ fifth-year option at the end of April 2026, guaranteeing him approximately $13.8 million for the 2027 season.
However, with the EDGE room quite crowded (including Micah Parsons) and salary cap pressure, Green Bay may consider trading the 24-year-old if they receive a reasonable offer.
For the Steelers, acquiring Van Ness would allow Mike McCarthy to have a young, powerful EDGE to pair with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, adding youth and depth to the defensive front.
McCarthy believes Van Ness’ athletic traits and potential will make him a long-term cornerstone in Pittsburgh.
Potential trade package: The Steelers could send the Packers a second-round pick (around pick 40–50) along with a third-round pick or another depth player. This is considered a fair price for an EDGE with high upside.
Although trading Van Ness is not the Packers’ top priority (especially after exercising the fifth-year option), the salary relief and additional draft capital could make it difficult to refuse, especially as the team focuses on developing young talent.
As the 2026 offseason heats up, all eyes are on the potential negotiations between the Packers and Steelers. Acquiring Lukas Van Ness would be a strong statement by Mike McCarthy in his first year back in Pittsburgh, immediately upgrading the Steelers’ defense and increasing their competitiveness in the AFC North.
This deal could significantly change the defensive fronts of both teams for years to come and promises to be one of the most attractive trades of the 2026 NFL offseason.
