The Jacksonville Jaguars defense is on fire, but the front office may have found itself in a bit of a situation when it comes to Devin Lloyd. The linebacker has had an incredible season so far, which would normally be something to celebrate. But as the team chose not to exercise the fifth-year option on Lloyd's rookie deal, he's set to be a free agent when the season ends.
And the further this season goes on, the more it seems as if Jacksonville is going to want to do whatever it takes to keep him here. Lloyd started his Jaguars career off strong during his rookie year, but didn't do much since then - until now, of course, when his performance exploded.
He's now received a huge honor - one that a Jaguar hasn't received in 20 years - and it just goes to show that Lloyd's resurgence isn't just a positive for Jacksonville. He's turned himself into one of the best defenders in the league.
Devin Lloyd has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Month
The NFL announced its top players for the month, with Lloyd taking the honors for the AFC on defense. He had likewise been named the top defensive player for the AFC in Week 4. The press release also noted that he is the first University of Utah alumni to ever win Defensive Player of the Week.
"Lloyd recorded 17 tackles, three interceptions, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in September. His three interceptions led the AFC and he was the only player in the NFL with a takeaway in three games during the first month of the season."
Making this honor even more prestigious is that only three other Jaguars have ever received it in franchise history - and the most recent recipient, Mike Peterson, was given the award a whopping 20 years ago. That's right: no Jaguars defender has been named Defensive Player of the Month in two decades.
First #Jaguars defensive player in 20 years to win this monthly award. https://t.co/D8ZHg5BxZG
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) October 2, 2025
Anthony Campanile has certainly turned the Jaguars defense around, taking it from a unit to be pitied to one to be feared. And Lloyd has certainly benefitted from the change in scheme; he has racked up 22 tackles, eight pressures, three passes defensed, three interceptions, and a forced fumble, and on top of all that, was named to the Pro Football Focus' quarter of the season All-Pro Team.
Lloyd has definitely turned himself into a formidable player, but the question now becomes if he can keep it up for the rest of the season.. and if so, what the Jaguars will decide to do with him. Will he be worth the money to keep him in Jacksonville, or will they let him walk in free agency? There's no telling yet, of course, but the better Lloyd plays, the harder that decision is going to be for James Gladstone and company.