Coen admittedly didn’t want to lose his linebacker, but he also seemed to realize it was inevitable after the season Lloyd had last year, which included five interceptions and All-Pro honors.
The Jaguars took a calculated risk by not picking up his fifth-year option, and Lloyd went out and had the kind of season that the Panthers are now the beneficiaries of.
“I’m not saying he was playing pissed off, but he was planning to earn something,” Coen said. “And you know I think some people had said he got picked on in coverage the year before, a little bit, and he was trying to, I think, have a mission that he was going to have a great year and go into a contract year. And credit Devin and the coaching staff, but specifically Devin, the amount of time he put into it.
“He was one of the first guys in the building, on off days, player off days, he’s always there. And I’m talking like 11 at night, 10 at night, like late there in the gym, working out. He put in more time than most, and to see him have the year he had, to see him get paid and to be rewarded, that is rewarding for me, even though it stings, it’s bittersweet.
“But really, credit Devin. He’s extremely mature for being a young man, still mature beyond his years, and I do believe he’s going to continue to get better.”