Devin Lloyd’s days in Jacksonville appear to be numbered.
The Jaguars are reportedly unlikely to bring back the former first-round linebacker-either through a new contract or the franchise tag-due to the hefty price tag both options carry. According to ESPN, tagging Lloyd would cost the team an estimated $27.5 million. And if he hits the open market, Spotrac projects his next deal could be in the neighborhood of $60.4 million over three years.
That’s a steep investment for a player who, while immensely talented, has had an up-and-down start to his NFL career. But here’s the thing: Lloyd might finally be turning the corner.
In 2025, he delivered the kind of all-around performance that reminded everyone why he was a first-round pick to begin with. His grades across the board-run defense, pass coverage, and pass rushing-were among the best at his position, per Pro Football Focus. That’s not just improvement; that’s impact.
Still, the question with Lloyd has never been about flashes of brilliance-it’s been about consistency. Early in his career, he struggled with missed assignments and occasional lapses in coverage.
But this past season, he looked like a player who’d figured it out. He played faster, more decisively, and with a confidence that hadn’t always been there.
If he’s truly found his rhythm, he could be a game-changer for a team in need of linebacker help. Enter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay has a clear need at linebacker, especially with veteran Lavonte David potentially heading into free agency. And Lloyd’s versatility-his ability to defend the run, drop into coverage, and get after the quarterback-fits perfectly into what head coach Todd Bowles looks for in his defensive scheme.
Bowles has a reputation for maximizing defensive talent, especially in the front seven. If Lloyd lands in Tampa, he’d be stepping into a system that could play to his strengths and help mask some of the inconsistencies that have popped up in the past. It's the kind of environment that could unlock the next level of his game.
There’s still risk involved, no doubt. Lloyd’s career so far has been a rollercoaster.
But if 2025 is the new standard for him, then he’s more than just a splashy free agent-he’s a foundational piece. For a Buccaneers defense that could be in transition, that kind of addition might be exactly what they need.
Bottom line: Devin Lloyd has the tools, the recent production, and potentially the right landing spot. If he ends up in Tampa Bay, don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the more impactful defensive signings of the offseason.