Former Iowa Hawkeye Luke Lachey Chases NFL Dream with Green Bay Packers
Luke Lachey, the son of Washington Redskins legend Jim Lachey, is getting a second chance to make an NFL roster. After being released by the Houston Texans, the former Iowa Hawkeye tight end signed with the Green Bay Packers in June and has quickly moved up the depth chart.
From Iowa City to Green Bay
Lachey, a seventh-round pick by the Texans in 2025, spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad without playing a game. Houston released him on May 11, and the Packers claimed him off waivers the next day. However, he failed his physical and was sent home with a clear message from the team.
“It was once you get healthy, we'd love to have you come back,” Lachey said. “So, once I got healthy, we made the decision to come back here. So, super-grateful to be here in Green Bay. It's a great place. You could just tell how much everybody loves football here and it seems a lot like Iowa City to me and being back to college again.”
Lachey returned to the Packers on June 15, but missed the entire offseason program. That means he is starting from scratch with the playbook while competing for a roster spot.
“I probably finished studying last night around 10 p.m., then just went to bed and came back,” he said. “So, just got to do the extra stuff because it's going to start piling up on all the installs that we're going to have. So, I just got to stay ready and be ready to go when my name's called.”
A Familiar Offense Helps the Transition
Lachey has an advantage that many rookies don't. His offensive coordinator during his senior season at Iowa was Tim Lester, who spent the 2023 season as a senior analyst for the Packers. That means Lachey already knows much of Green Bay's system.
“Pretty much my whole career at Iowa, we ran a pro-style offense, but especially our last year, it was actually Green Bay's offense,” Lachey said. “Tim Lester came from here, so he kind of took everything from here and it was cool to learn that.”
Carving His Own Path
Jim Lachey was a consensus All-American at Ohio State and a three-time first-team All-Pro with the Redskins, winning a Super Bowl in 1991. Luke chose a different path, going to Iowa instead of following his father to Ohio State.
“It's just trying to make a name for yourself at the end of the day,” he said. “Obviously, he was great — part of 'The Hogs' and everything — but you've just got to figure out your own path at the end of the day. So, there wasn't a lot of pressure with that. Obviously, I went to Iowa, so I wasn't following in his footsteps at Ohio State and the legacy there, so it was cool to kind of carve out my own path.”
After redshirting in 2020, Lachey broke out in 2022 with 28 catches for 398 yards and four touchdowns. He missed most of the 2023 season due to injury but returned as a senior to catch 28 passes for 231 yards. He was also a team captain and a semifinalist for the William Campbell Trophy, known as the Academic Heisman.
Big Opportunity in Green Bay
The Packers have a clear need at tight end. Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave are the starters, but the team lost John FitzPatrick, a key blocker who suffered a torn Achilles last season and was not re-signed. Lachey is competing with Josh Whyle and Drake Dabney for a roster spot.
“I'm trying to every day, trying to keep working on my technique, physicality,” he said. “Obviously, it's a good trait to have from my dad but that's my dad. I can't take everything from him. I just got to keep working on it. I'm excited to get the pads on and get blocking.”
Lachey's path to the NFL is a testament to perseverance and hard work. For Iowa fans, watching him chase his dream in Green Bay is a story worth following.
Photo: Sports Illustrated