GREEN BAY – The Packers conducted the first of three mandatory minicamp practices on Tuesday at Ray Nitschke Field.
Here are five things learned from the workout:
- Lukas Van Ness likes Jonathan Gannon's defense.
Van Ness, the former first-round pick and fourth-year edge rusher who had his fifth-year option picked up last month, spent a good portion of Tuesday's practice disrupting things in the offensive backfield.
On the first two snaps of 11-on-11 work, Van Ness busted through for a tackle for loss against the run and a pressure on a pass play. He added at least two or three more pressures in other 11-on-11 periods, one of which was a likely sack.
The caveat is there are no pads nor tackling this time of year, but Van Ness commented that new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon's defense is "allowing us to play free without thinking." He's also established a line of communication with Gannon that's helping him maximize on his good health after dealing with thumb and foot injuries the past couple of years.
"He's got a fire. He's intense. Super smart. Really supportive. A good dude," Van Ness said of Gannon. "Honestly, a super easy guy to approach, to talk to about improvements, where he sees your game.
"It's been really fun getting to know him and getting to play in his defense."
Star edge rusher Micah Parsons has been a big fan of Van Ness's since Parsons' arrival last year, and he appreciates the vote of confidence from one of the game's best.
Van Ness, who has 10½ sacks over his first three seasons (including playoffs), was attacking from both the edge and interior at different times Tuesday, and it was impossible not to notice him.
"Van Ness was flying around, man," QB Jordan Love said. "I think the biggest thing with him is his get off. He was getting off the rock today and he's got that speed that puts tackles in a bind. They gotta make sure they're getting off at the same time as him. If not, he's going to beat you around that corner.
"He's in a great spot. He puts the work in and he's a guy that he's always making practice hard on us. Excited to see what he can do."
- The offensive standout of the day was a much lesser-known player.
With Tucker Kraft still on the mend and Luke Musgrave not taking 11-on-11 snaps Tuesday, Josh Whyle had a productive day at tight end for Love, snagging a seam route early on and then making a tough catch in traffic in the back of the end zone during red-zone work.
A late arrival last summer who was signed to the practice squad at the end of training camp, Whyle (6-7, 248) joined the active roster at midseason and caught five passes for 36 yards and a TD in limited playing time. He was originally a fifth-round pick by Tennessee in 2023 and caught 37 passes for 342 yards and two TDs over two seasons with the Titans.
"I'm excited about him as well," Love said. "He got better, and this offseason he's been putting in the work. Obviously with Tuck out, great opportunity for him to step up and make some plays. Been finding him a couple times down the field."
- Rookie O-lineman Jager Burton took all first-team reps.
Burton, who was rotating in for first-team snaps last week at right guard, took all the first-unit reps at left guard with veteran Aaron Banks joining the rehab group.
In addition to Banks, also new to the offseason injury list were defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Warren Brinson, while defensive lineman Jonathan Ford and offensive lineman Donovan Jennings returned to practice from their absences.
Remaining out were: Cornerbacks Benjamin St-Juste, Kamal Hadden and Domani Jackson, defensive linemen Devonte Wyatt and Jordon Riley, offensive linemen Zach Tom and Jacob Monk, receiver/returner Skyy Moore, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, edge rusher Collin Oliver and tight end Drake Dabney, plus Parsons and Kraft.
- Love's offseason focus has been on his footwork in the pocket.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur noted every player has been given something to concentrate on as an area of improvement this spring, and for Love that's been his footwork. Or more precisely, the pace of his footwork, and keeping it under control in the pocket.
"I'm trying to be as smooth and consistent as possible, when I go through my reads, get into my hitches," Love said. "Not getting antsy, not getting to that point where you're trying to move through the pocket too fast.
"Just staying calm, staying relaxed, move through my reads."
He went on to explain footwork is tied to timing and accuracy, so it's a fundamental that's always top of mind. The lower intensity of non-padded practices is valuable time to work on it.
LaFleur also challenged players on both sides of the ball Tuesday with a "call-it" period, where plays are called on the fly and not from a script. After the installation of a section of the playbook, making the live reps tougher helps prepare young players for training camp.
"There's still a lot of learning going on," LaFleur said, noting the offense as expected is ahead of the defense with the defense installing a new system. "It really tests where you're at mentally."
- Rookie kicker Trey Smack drilled a couple of long ones.
After a rough day in the OTA practice open to the media last week, Smack went 7-for-8 during a field-goal period, with the lone miss coming from 40 yards. He finished the sequence with makes from 51 and 58.
