The Jacksonville Jaguars have made an effort to retain their core contributors, but don't seem to have an urgency when deciding whether they will exercise the fifth-year option on linebacker Devin Lloyd's rookie deal. A recent report from an NFL insider brings clarity to the issue.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Jags aren't picking up Lloyd's fifth-year option, pointing out that the former Utah Ute will now be set to become a free agent in 2026.
The report came out one day before the deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option on rookie deals. All this considered, it is more definite than what the Jags have previously said about the issue.
After the draft, general manager James Gladstone said he didn't have an update on Lloyd because the team had been busy preparing for the draft. However, this explanation doesn't track when you take into account that Jacksonville already picked up Travon Walker's option. Like Lloyd, Walker was a 2022 first-round selection.
Before Coen's latest update, head coach Liam Coen said that Jacksonville had not made a decision yet, but the team's brass was having discussions about it.
Lloyd's future became murkier when the Jags selected Jack Kiser in Round 5 of this past NFL Draft. Kiser won't likely compete for a starting role, so he wouldn't directly replace Lloyd. That said, his presence allows the front office to move on from him this offseason or next year.
What's next for the Jaguars and Devin Lloyd?
It's easy to see why the Jacksonville Jaguars decided not to pick up Devin Lloyd's option. After an up-and-down rookie campaign, he's been more consistent the past two years and done a good job of stopping the run. However, he's struggled in coverage. Add the fact that the fifth-year option would pay him $14.7 million in 2026, and their hesitancy to commit to him is understandable. This begs the question, what's next for the Jags and the linebacker?
The front office could place Lloyd on the trade block. He might garner interest from teams that weren't able to address the position properly in the draft. On the other hand, the Jaguars could keep him in training camp and have him compete with Ventrell Miller for the starting job next to Foyesade Oluokun.
If Lloyd falters, the Jags could then shop him. But if he puts it all together, they could keep him for the remainder of the year and decide whether to re-sign him in 2025.
In the end, it makes more sense not to use Lloyd's options than to make a commitment to him. Simply, he hasn't done enough to earn the option. Then again, that may be the push he needs to finally hit his stride.