Liam Coen gives huge update on Jaguars' plans for Devin Lloyd

To nobody's surprise, the Jacksonville Jaguars exercised edge rusher Travon Walker's fifth-year option on his rookie deal. However, it was uncertain whether they would do the same for fellow 2022 first-round pick Devin Lloyd. Based on head coach Liam Coen's comments, it doesn't look like that will be the case.

Liam Coen met with the local media during the team's voluntary workout and said that Jacksonville isn't planning to pick up Lloyd's fifth-year option.

"No plans right now in terms of we're having those conversations getting used to the player, right?" Coen said. "We just got to get used to him a little bit and get to know him a little bit. We're excited about him. A guy that we see we can do some things with, like we do feel excited about some of his versatility and experience. So some of those conversations will be open and honest and communicated."

Lloyd's option would cost $14.8 million in 2026. That seems a bit excessive for a starter who has failed to make big plays the past two seasons. He's set to count an affordable $4.1 million in 2025, so Jacksonville can afford to keep him around. If they don't pick up the option, he'll become a free agent next year.

A first-round pick in the 2022 draft, Lloyd had an up-and-down rookie season and was even benched at one point in favor of fellow linebacker Chad Muma. He was a bit more consistent in Year 2 but still failed to live up to expectations. The 2024 season was much of the same, the former Utah Ute was unremarkable and outplayed by Ventrell Miller at times. Below is Coen's exchange with the media. His remarks about Lloyd start nearly right away.

The Jaguars are better off letting Devin Lloyd playing out his contract

When the Jaguars moved back into the first round of the 2022 draft to select Devin Lloyd, they thought they were getting a playmaker who would shore up the starting linebacker spot next to Foyesade Oluokun. So far, that's not been the case.

Granted, Travon Walker has yet to reach his ceiling but at least has done enough to make you think that he can be much better. Lloyd, on the other hand, has been given lots of opportunities to make an impression and has come up short.

The best course of action would be for the Jaguars to decline his fifth-year option and hope that motivates him to put it all together. If he does, he will give them a tough decision next year, but if he doesn't, they could simply move on.

The truth is that the Jaguars can do without Lloyd. Aside from Oloukun, they have Ventrell Miller in the fold. Moreover, they're doing due diligence ahead of the draft and meeting with linebacker prospects.

Just recently, Bleacher Report brought up linebacker as a need the Jaguars should address in the draft. Based on Devin Lloyd's uncertain future, maybe they should.

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