The Green Bay Packers open training camp on Wednesday, July 23, marking the unofficial start of the 2025 season for Matt LaFleur’s team. After back-to-back playoff appearances but disappointing playoff failures, the Packers are hoping to take another step forward in 2025. The process begins in full on July 23.
Packers Wire will go position by position previewing the roster, highlighting battles to watch, the things that actually matter and young players to monitor this summer.
Here is our training camp preview of the defensive front group:
On the roster (8 DE, 8 DT)DE Rashan GaryDT Kenny ClarkDT Devonte WyattDE Lukas Van NessDE Kingsley EnagbareDT Karl BrooksDT Colby WoodenDE Brenton CoxDE Arron MosbyDE Barryn SorrellDE Collin OliverDT Warren BrinsonDT Nazir StackhouseDE Deslin AlexandreDT James EsterDT Keith RandolphMost important: Can Covington create consistency?
The Packers are banking on a new coach and another year in Jeff Hafley’s system to create a step forward for the defensive front. The biggest question needing to be answered: Can new defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington — a former coordinator in New England who is replacing Jason Rebrovich in Green Bay — get the most out of the talent and drive a more consistently disruptive front, especially against the pass? With only a fourth-round pick and fifth-round pick added to the edge-rushing group, and a sixth-round pick added to the interior, Covington’s leadership might be the biggest addition of the offseason. The Packers will hope training camp shows the start of a defensive front that can take over big games in 2025. — Zach Kruse
What to watch: Clark and Wyatt in 2025
With the departure of TJ Slaton in free agency, Kenny Clark is expected to take over as the Packers’ primary nose tackle. That shift puts Devonte Wyatt in line for a larger role entering his fourth season. While Wyatt has flashed as a pass rusher, this is his chance to show he can also anchor against the run and not just disrupt plays in the backfield. Clark, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after an uncharacteristically quiet 2024 season in which he played through a toe injury. On paper, Clark and Wyatt form a promising interior duo, but both enter camp with something to prove. — Brandon Carwile
One thing that actually matters: Does Lukas Van Ness look the part?
It seems pretty clear Van Ness is going to be the starting edge rusher across from Rashan Gary come hell or high water, and the Packers are relying on him to become worthy of that role in 2025 as they seek improved play from the front four in as a whole. An underwhelming second season can at least in part be explained by a broken thumb which Van Ness admitted impacted him for most of the year. Entering year three, and his second season in Jeff Hafley’s defense, there are no excuses left, and eyes will be on Van Ness in training camp to see if there are signs of tangible progress. — Mark Oldacres
Young player to watch: Lukas Van Ness
If not now, when? If Lukas Van Ness doesn’t enjoy a breakout campaign this season, one has to wonder if it will ever happen. The 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has all the tools in the shed to develop into a force off the edge. It’s a matter of the former Iowa Hawkeye can become the sum of all his parts. Through his first two seasons, he’s recorded seven sacks and 42 pressures. The Packers need more from him and I’m putting money on Van Ness putting it all together this season and becoming a disruptive force off the edge for Jeff Hafley. — Brennen Rupp