Devin Lloyd bet on himself this season-and he didn’t just win, he cashed in with authority.
After the Jaguars declined his fifth-year option heading into 2025, Lloyd was effectively put on notice. This was his contract year, and the message was clear: prove your worth.
Lloyd responded with the kind of season that makes front offices rethink their decisions and agents start prepping for a big payday. The 2022 first-round pick turned in a stellar campaign, earning second-team All-Pro honors while anchoring a Jacksonville defense that helped deliver an AFC South title.
Let’s talk production: 81 tackles, five interceptions, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Those aren’t just solid numbers-they’re impact plays from a true off-ball linebacker, the kind of stat line that jumps off the page and into the negotiating room. Lloyd didn’t just rack up tackles; he made game-changing plays, showing off his range, instincts, and ball skills in a system that let him roam and react.
Anthony Campanile’s defensive scheme clearly unlocked something in Lloyd. Whether it was his ability to read the quarterback and jump routes or his comfort dropping into coverage, Lloyd consistently looked like one of the smartest-and most athletic-players on the field.
That kind of versatility is gold in today’s NFL, where linebackers need to do more than just plug gaps. Lloyd’s five picks weren’t flukes.
They were the product of preparation, film study, and elite anticipation.
Now, the big question: what’s next?
With the linebacker franchise tag projected north of $28 million, the Jaguars have a decision to make. Do they pony up to keep one of their defensive cornerstones, or do they risk letting him test the open market, where he’d immediately become one of the most sought-after off-ball linebackers available?
Lloyd, speaking from the Pro Bowl this week, made it clear he’s open to returning-but he’s also keeping things in perspective.
“I want to be where God wants me to be,” Lloyd said. “For me, being back in Jacksonville, my mom lives out there.
Obviously, my lady is out there. There are a lot of pros to being out there.
And so, for me, it’s just about being in the right spot. Ultimately, that’s the No. 1 most important thing, being in the right spot.”
That’s a thoughtful answer from a player who’s not just chasing a contract-he’s looking for the right fit. Jacksonville certainly checks a lot of boxes.
Familiarity with the system, family nearby, and a team that’s trending in the right direction. But the business side of the NFL is real, and if the numbers don’t align, Lloyd has earned the right to explore what else is out there.
What’s clear is this: Lloyd’s 2025 free agency, if it happens, won’t be quiet. He’s not just a linebacker who had a good year-he’s a playmaker who elevated his game at the perfect time. Whether it’s a long-term deal in Duval or a fresh start somewhere else, Devin Lloyd is about to get paid-and deservedly so.