Now, former Jacksonville Jaguars’ linebacker Devin Lloyd is reportedly signing with the Carolina Panthers.
Following a breakout season in 2025 that included Lloyd being named a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro, the Jaguars now have a big void to fill in the middle of their defense.
Here are three observations from the news that Lloyd is heading elsewhere.
Devin Lloyd earns a well-deserved payday
Lloyd is signing a three-year deal with Carolina that totals $45 million and includes $25 million guaranteed.
At $15 million per year, Lloyd is now tied for the fourth-highest paid linebacker on an annual basis. In terms of guaranteed money, he is now the seventh-highest-paid linebacker.
For the Jaguars, who find themselves in a tight salary cap situation, the team realistically may not have been able to match Carolina’s offer. The Jaguars have just $110,348 in salary cap space. Even if they made room for Lloyd’s deal, there are still other needs to tackle and future cap expenses that have to be accounted for.
Linebacker becomes a much bigger need
Lloyd did a bit of everything for the Jaguars last season, making an impact in coverage, against the run, and as a blitzer. Without him on the roster, the starting spot next to Foye Oluokun is now up for grabs.
Internally, the Jaguars could turn to Ventrell Miller or Jack Kiser. James Gladstone could also still explore free agency and the NFL draft to bolster depth and competition.
How urgently Gladstone addresses the linebacker position may be dependent on his confidence in either Miller or Kiser to step into a larger role.
Anthony Campanile can help mitigate Lloyd’s absence
Although Campanile is now the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator, his coaching background is rooted in the linebacker position. During the 2024 season with Green Bay, Edgerrin Cooper had a strong rookie campaign, which included being named NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 15 and NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for December and January. Quay Walker had arguably his best season as a pro that year as well.
Then this past season, perhaps not coincidentally, Lloyd had his aforementioned breakout year under Campanile and in his defense.
At the end of the day, players make the plays and deserve the bulk of the credit. But Campanile’s recent coaching history shows that he’s been able to get the mots out of the linebackers he’s working with.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 3 takeaways from Jaguars’ LB Devin Lloyd signing with Panthers
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
