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Devin Lloyd struggled early in his career, but eventually paid off the Jacksonville Jaguars' first round faith. The former Day 1 draft pick worked his way up to All-Pro status as a versatile off-ball linebacker capable of bringing solid coverage skills, value as an occasional blitzer and sideline-to-sideline run support.
But that all came just late enough in his budding career that the Jaguars declined the fifth year option on his rookie contract. Jacksonville's loss is the Carolina Panthers gain. On the first night of free agency, Carolina stepped up to sign Lloyd away with a three year, $45 million contract, making a second splash after signing Jaelan Phillips to a monster $120 million deal.
It's another big investment for a franchise nearing a breaking point with quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales. The Panthers haven't had a winning record since 2017. Can Lloyd redeem a defense that ranked 23rd in expected points added (EPA) allowed last fall?
Lloyd's breakthrough season came alongside a career low of playing time; he was on the field for only 73 percent of the Jaguars' snaps when healthy. That brought significantly fewer assignments against the run (from 380 run snaps in 2024 to 244) and turned the 235 pound linebacker into a coverage expert in the middle of the field.
That paid off. Lloyd shared the team lead with five interceptions without a touchdown allowed in coverage. He posted a missed tackle rate of less than seven percent for the second straight year. His 24 pressures were a career high and, while he played less against the run he was still a solid deterrent up the middle.
Thus, Carolina is getting a rising player with elite athleticism and a diverse skill set for the price of a good running back. Lloyd's $15 million annually is tied for fourth-most among off-ball linebackers but a far cry from Fred Warner's position-best $20 million salary. Lloyd can easily give the Panthers more than three-quarters of Warner's abilities and his steady growth suggests 2025's breakthrough was a tale of progress and not a contract year outlier. If not, the $25 million guaranteed to him creates wiggle room for an early out after 2027.
Carolina is going big to ensure Young and Canales have no more excuses for 2026. That's meant laying big wagers on the defensive side of the ball. Lloyd is a safer bet than Phillips, but together they can create the backbone of a NFC South title defense.
Grade: A-
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Devin Lloyd signs with Panthers: Grade for Carolina's next big deal
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But that all came just late enough in his budding career that the Jaguars declined the fifth year option on his rookie contract. Jacksonville's loss is the Carolina Panthers gain. On the first night of free agency, Carolina stepped up to sign Lloyd away with a three year, $45 million contract, making a second splash after signing Jaelan Phillips to a monster $120 million deal.
It's another big investment for a franchise nearing a breaking point with quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales. The Panthers haven't had a winning record since 2017. Can Lloyd redeem a defense that ranked 23rd in expected points added (EPA) allowed last fall?
The deal: Panthers sign LB Devin Lloyd for three years, $45 million ($25 million guaranteed)
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Lloyd's breakthrough season came alongside a career low of playing time; he was on the field for only 73 percent of the Jaguars' snaps when healthy. That brought significantly fewer assignments against the run (from 380 run snaps in 2024 to 244) and turned the 235 pound linebacker into a coverage expert in the middle of the field.
That paid off. Lloyd shared the team lead with five interceptions without a touchdown allowed in coverage. He posted a missed tackle rate of less than seven percent for the second straight year. His 24 pressures were a career high and, while he played less against the run he was still a solid deterrent up the middle.
Thus, Carolina is getting a rising player with elite athleticism and a diverse skill set for the price of a good running back. Lloyd's $15 million annually is tied for fourth-most among off-ball linebackers but a far cry from Fred Warner's position-best $20 million salary. Lloyd can easily give the Panthers more than three-quarters of Warner's abilities and his steady growth suggests 2025's breakthrough was a tale of progress and not a contract year outlier. If not, the $25 million guaranteed to him creates wiggle room for an early out after 2027.
Carolina is going big to ensure Young and Canales have no more excuses for 2026. That's meant laying big wagers on the defensive side of the ball. Lloyd is a safer bet than Phillips, but together they can create the backbone of a NFC South title defense.
Grade: A-
Other free agent signing grades:
- Colts re-sign WR Alec Pierce for a whopping four years and $114 million
- Chiefs make a splash by signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to revamp backfield
- Dolphins' rebuild lands on Malik Willis as a worthy QB gamble
- Panthers make 2026's riskiest bet on Jaelan Phillips' superstar potential
- Raiders splurge big so Tyler Linderbaum can create space for Ashton Jeanty, Fernando Mendoza
- Saints prep for the end of Alvin Kamara by giving Travis Etienne big money
- 49ers swipe Mike Evans from Bucs to be the adult in their receivers room
- Titans spend big to lure Wan'Dale Robinson south (but not as much as it seems)
- Commanders reload their pass rush with a certified goblin in Odafe Oweh
- Falcons short-term QB answer? That's Tua Tagovailoa's music!
- Seahawks keep Sam Darnold's band together, re-sign Rashid Shaheed for $51 million
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Devin Lloyd signs with Panthers: Grade for Carolina's next big deal
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