Lloyd hits the open market following a season in which he generated five interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — seven passes defensed, 1.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, a fumble recovery and 81 total tackles, including six TFLs.
The performance in Campanile’s defense was a stark difference from his up-and-down first four seasons, highlighted by miscues and missed coverages. In Campanile’s attack-style D, Lloyd looked truly at home.
Lloyd said that he believes he can play at that level in any defense.
“I take pride in being able to do what I did last year in any defense,” he said. “Obviously, (new coaches) came in and they understood that I have a skill set. And, you know, as the weeks progressed, they really started allowing me to utilize that skill set more and more and play at the level that I’m playing. So it’s always great whenever a defensive coordinator believes in you. And, you know, that’s the case with any player, you know, all these guys, you know, the coaches do put them in the best position. So, you know, I was definitely a product of that. And then just me being right, you know, for myself as far as being at my best every week. It really just comes down to, you know, every day, ready to attack practice, ready to attack the game. And that’s nutrition, sleep, all the above.”
With the franchise tag for linebackers projected to be $28.2 million, the Jags are unlikely to use that mechanism to keep Lloyd from the open market. Unless sides agree on an extension ahead of March, the linebacker will hit free agency as one of the top off-ball LBs available.
Lloyd said ideally he would return to Jacksonville, but ultimately would like to be where he can continue to ascend.
“I want to be where God wants me to be,” he said. “For me, being back in Jacksonville, my mom lives out there. You know, obviously, my lady is out there. You know, there are a lot of pros to being out there. And so, for me, it’s just about being in the right spot. Ultimately, that’s the No. 1 most important thing, being in the right spot.”