Last spring, the Jaguars declined Devin Lloyd‘s fifth-year option. In consequence, the productive linebacker is currently on the right track without cost agency in March.
2026 will mark Lloyd’s first trip to the open market unless a brand new Jacksonville pact will be worked out. It seems as if that is not going to happen, though. ESPN’s Rob Demosky writes the Jags will “likely” see Lloyd depart by taking a big-ticket contract elsewhere.
The fifth-year option groups inside and out of doors linebackers together for valuation purposes. In consequence, NFL teams have increasingly opted against picking up the choice in cases like Lloyd’s. Similarly, the franchise tag doesn’t differentiate between the 2 positions. Meaning tagging Lloyd would cost roughly $28.2MM in fully guaranteed compensation for 2026.
The highest of the LB market is currently $21MM per 12 months, so tagging Lloyd would come as a serious surprise. A protracted-term pact is more feasible for the 27-year-old, and wherever it comes from it should little doubt include a substantial raise. Lloyd was held under 113 tackles for the primary time in his profession in the course of the 2025 season, but he set a brand new profession high with five interceptions while totaling 81 stops. His production and role in Jacksonville’s impressive defense resulted in second-team All-Pro honors.
Lloyd remained a full-time starter despite seeing a dip in his defensive snap share. The Utah product can be counted on as a key contributor for his next team, and the linebacker market will offer few alternatives in free agency that are younger than him. Lloyd’s second contract could see him join the list of linebackers attached to an AAV of a minimum of $12.5MM. That will move him inside the top eight on the position by way of average annual value.
Foye Oluokun inked a brand new Jags contract in 2024; he has two years remaining on his pact. Jacksonville also has recent Day 3 picks Ventrell Miller and Jack Kiser in place on the LB position. One or each may very well be in line for a pointy uptick in defensive usage within the event Llyod were to depart in free agency.