The Jacksonville Jaguars have done a good job of rewarding their own players, giving new deals to Cole Van Lanen and Jakobi Meyers before the regular season ended. However, they still have plenty of work left. The Jags have a long list of free agents and won't be able to bring them all. But there are a handful of players they must prioritize locking up. One of them is Second-Team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd.
After three good, not great, seasons, Jacksonville opted not to exercise Lloyd's fifth-year option. It looks like that gave him the motivation he needed to put it all together and play at a high level. Now, the former Utah Ute is slated to hit the open market and let everyone know how he feels about it.
Devin Lloyd shared his thoughts about this future with the Jaguars
A day after the loss to the Buffalo Bills, Travis Etienne met with reporters and said that he'll go wherever God wants him to go in free agency, noting that he doesn't know yet where he'll land.
"I just want to be where God wants me to be at the end of the day. That's where I want to be," Lloyd told reporters, via 1010 XL. "And I'm waiting on that answer from him. Like I said, I haven't put any thought to it. Everything's been about trying to be the best player I can be for this team this year, and ultimately, I want to be where God wants me to be."
A first-round pick in 2022, Lloyd got off to a strong start to his rookie campaign, registering two interceptions and six passes defensed the first three games. However, he eventually cooled down and was even benched in favor of fellow linebacker Chad Muma. The California native was more consistent in 2023 but didn't make nearly enough big plays. He was once again solid in 2024 but still left a bit to be desired, especially in pass coverage.
Then, the Jags hired Anthony Campanile as the defensive coordinator in 2025, and Lloyd had a banner season, registering a team-best five interceptions, seven passes defensed, and 1.5 sacks.
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The Jaguars could end up losing Devin Lloyd in free agency
Devin Lloyd peaked at the right time, as he's now one of the hottest players slated to hit the open market in March. Spotrac values Etienne at $20.1 million per year in free agency. He may not get that amount, given that only elite off-linebackers get that kind of contract. That said, teams could offer him an average of more than $16 million per year. Jacksonville would have trouble matching that amount when you take into account that they're $8 million over the cap.
Of course, Jacksonville would love to bring Lloyd back, but he won't pass on the chance to maximize his earning window when he can. The Jaguars could try to meet his salary demands, but it would hinder their ability to address other needs in the offseason. That's why it wouldn't be surprising to see the fifth-year linebacker walk.
At this point, giving Devin Lloyd an extension shouldn't be ruled out, but the Jaguars also need to brace for the possibility of losing one of their best defenders in the upcoming months.