Jaw-dropping play vs. Colts sent Devin Lloyd’s free-agent stock skyrocketing

The Jacksonville Jaguars are almost certainly headed to the postseason, but that doesn't mean the rest of the season is going to be a walk in the park. They still have several divisional matchups, including the Week 14 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

This game is vitally important for both teams, who are tied at 8-4. Currently, the Jaguars are on top of the AFC South, and a win would further strengthen their chances of winning the division. While the Colts have struggled lately, they have had one of the strongest offenses in the league.

That meant the Jacksonville defense had a big job ahead of them, particularly in containing Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. And yet, the defense so far has come through in a huge way, including from the very first moments of the game.

Devin Lloyd sends another message about his value with big play for the Jaguars

Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd has had a great season so far, but his jaw-dropping play at the beginning of the game still awed fans. On the Colts' very first play of the game, quarterback Daniel Jones dropped back to make a pass, and it sailed right into Lloyd's hands.

While Lloyd didn't get far, he set up the offense to come back on the field, and they scored immediately, getting the Jaguars out to an early lead. While it was a great play for Jacksonville right now, it also means trouble for the team long-term.

The Jaguars have a huge decision to make regarding Lloyd, who is set to be a free agent. It isn't that Lloyd isn't worth keeping around; he absolutely is. The problem is that Lloyd is incredibly good, and also... incredibly expensive.

Lloyd is projected to command a three-year, $60 million contract, which would make him one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL. He would take in $20 million a year, which is just under what Fred Warner, the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL, receives.

If Lloyd were the only person the Jaguars needed to worry about, re-signing Lloyd, even at a premium price, wouldn't be a big deal. But he isn't the only player having a breakout season for the teal; Jakobi Meyers, though a veteran wide receiver, has absolutely helped revitalize the Jaguars' offense. And Jacksonville won't want to let him walk, either.

For now, there's nothing to be done about postseason contract speculation; Lloyd will be a free agent, and hopefully, he is committed enough to staying in Jacksonville that a deal can be made. But with every incredible play like this he makes, it makes the job a little bit harder for James Gladstone & Co.