Packers at a Crossroads: Lukas Van Ness, Christian Gonzalez, and the Draft Decisions That Could Shape Green Bay's Future
As confetti rained down on the Seattle Seahawks following their 29-13 Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots, fans in Green Bay were left with a familiar, uncomfortable feeling - the kind that comes from watching a player you passed on shine on the sport’s biggest stage. And while much of the pregame chatter centered around the Packers choosing Lukas Van Ness over Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the 2023 NFL Draft, another name is now drawing more pointed attention: Christian Gonzalez.
The Patriots' young cornerback didn’t just hold his own this season - he emerged as a legitimate star in New England’s AFC title run, locking down top receivers and earning what’s likely to be a long-term deal. Meanwhile, Van Ness, the 13th overall pick that same year, hasn’t delivered the kind of disruptive presence Green Bay envisioned when they brought him in out of Iowa.
The contrast between the two players' trajectories is hard to ignore. Gonzalez, taken four picks after Van Ness, has quickly become the kind of elite cover man every defense covets. Van Ness, on the other hand, is still searching for consistency - and the Packers, still searching for impact plays from their front seven.
It’s not just about what Van Ness hasn’t done, though. It’s also about what Green Bay still lacks.
The Packers’ secondary, headlined by Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Nate Hobbs, struggled mightily in 2025. That trio allowed a lopsided 14:1 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio, a stat that paints a pretty clear picture: this group isn’t locking anyone down.
And in today’s NFL, that’s a problem. Just look at the blueprint laid out by the league’s best defenses.
The 2024 Eagles rode a dominant pass rush to the top of the sack leaderboard. The 2025 Seahawks, under Mike Macdonald, followed suit - winning with pressure, coverage, and physicality.
The Packers? They’re falling short on both fronts.
So yes, it’s fair to wonder what this defense might look like if Gonzalez were the one wearing green and gold. But dwelling on past picks won’t fix what’s broken. The focus now shifts to April - and to general manager Brian Gutekunst, who’s entering what might be the most pivotal draft of his tenure.
The Clock Is Ticking on Gutekunst
After a disappointing playoff exit at the hands of the rival Bears, Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur are still in the building - but the margin for error has shrunk considerably. Team president Ed Policy is showing some patience, but it’s clear that the 2026 draft will be a defining moment for the front office.
Green Bay has clear needs, and they’re not subtle. They need a pass rusher who can actually tilt the field.
They need a cornerback who can go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite wideouts. They need difference-makers, not just solid contributors.
And they need them early - with their day one and day two picks.
It’s not an impossible ask. But it is a tall one. Gutekunst has to thread the needle this spring - identifying talent that can contribute immediately while also fitting into the long-term vision of a team that still believes it can contend with the right pieces.
That mission becomes even more critical when you factor in the looming roster decisions. Key veterans like Elgton Jenkins, Rashan Gary, and Nate Hobbs are all up for potential extensions or evaluations.
And with limited cap flexibility, Green Bay may not be diving into the deep end of free agency anytime soon. That puts even more pressure on the draft to deliver.
A Pivotal Offseason in Title Town
The Packers have been here before - staring down a crucial offseason with more questions than answers. But this time, the stakes feel higher.
The NFC North is no longer a one-team division. The Bears are ascending.
The Lions are for real. And the Vikings, despite their own issues, aren’t going away quietly.
If Green Bay wants to stay in the mix - not just as a playoff team, but as a true contender - they need to hit on this draft. They need to find their own version of Christian Gonzalez.
They need Van Ness to take a leap. And they need Gutekunst to prove that he’s still the right man to build this roster.
Because if the 2026 season ends the way 2025 did, the Packers may be looking at more than just a new draft class. They might be looking at a new front office, too.