The Jacksonville Jaguars surely felt relieved when they found out that Grant Udinski and Anthony Campanile would stay in 2026. Both coordinators interviewed for head-coaching jobs but ultimately chose to stick around for at least another season. Their return will allow the Jags to build off their impressive 2025, and several players will benefit greatly.
Trevor Lawrence, in particular, will have the same offensive staff in consecutive years for the first time in his career. On top of that, having Anthony Campanile around could convince a handful of free agents to return in 2026.
Anthony Campanile could convice Devin Lloyd to re-sign with the Jaguars
The Jaguars are currently $21.9 million over the cap. They could have trouble re-signing some of their own players and bolstering the roster in free agency
Granted, it's not realistic for a team to re-sign all its own pending free agents due to salary cap rules, but the Jags would surely want to bring back cornerback Montaric Brown, running back Travis Etienne, and linebacker Devin Lloyd. However, they won't be able to re-sign all three even after they free up space. Of the three, Lloyd could turn out to be the toughest one to retain.
The former Utah Ute wasn't dreadful in his first three NFL seasons, but he wasn't great either. It wasn't until 2025, when the team declined his fifth-year option and Anthony Campanile became the head coach, that Lloyd put it all together. Under Campanile's tutelage, he registered five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and earned a Second-Team All-Pro designation.
Now, the Kansas City, Missouri native is projected to get a three-year deal worth $60.1 million in free agency. That annual average of $20 million would put him among the top three highest-paid off-linebackers in the NFL. But even if the final amount is less— let's say $16 million to $17 million per year — the Jaguars may have trouble meeting his contract demands. Here's where Campanile's return could come in handy.
The Jaguars may need to ask Devin Lloyd to take a discount to stay
You cannot blame players for wanting to maximize their earning window, as NFL careers don't last long. On the other hand, there are a few things that can sway them to stay. One of them is being part of a winning culture. The Jaguars certainly have that, with Liam Coen at the helm. And here's where Anthony Campanile comes in.
Before Campanile arrived, Lloyd struggled to hit his stride, and there's no guarantee he'll continue to play at the same level under someone else or with another team. Would that be enough to convince the 2022 first-round pick to return? Maybe not, but it's something definitely worth pondering.
Will Devin Lloyd chase the money, which he has every right to do? Or would he try to recapture the magic he had with the Jaguars in 2025? At this moment, it looks like he's ready to hit the open market, but a return shouldn't be ruled out just yet with Anthony Campanile back in the mix.