PHOENIX
Communication is paramount for any successful defense. And according to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, the Carolina Panthers just added a “collision communicator” to the middle of their unit.
Coen, who coached Jacksonville to a 13-4 record and a division title in 2025, oversaw new Carolina linebacker Devin Lloyd’s breakout campaign. The former first-round pick had an up-and-down tenure with the Jaguars, but Lloyd was named a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection during his final year with the franchise.
Coen says last season’s breakout success was earned from Lloyd’s preparation and dedication to his craft.
“I think you saw a guy, and I’m not saying he was pissed off, but like he was playing to earn something,” Coen said Tuesday at the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix. “I think some people had said — he got picked on in coverage the year before a little bit. He was trying to, I think, have a mission that he was going to have a great year, and going into a contract year. And credit Devin and the coaching staff, but specifically Devin, the amount of time he put into it.”
Devin Lloyd, shown here as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, looks on during a 2025 regular-season game against the Houston Texans. Kenneth Richmond Getty Images
“He was one of the first guys in the building,” Coen added. “On off-days, player off-days, he’s always there. And I’m talking like 11 at night, 10 at night — 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 year, and I do believe he’s going to continue to get better.”
The Panthers, who signed Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million deal earlier this month, saw a dynamic playmaker on defense. After Lloyd posted a career-high five interceptions in 2025, Carolina’s brass believes he could be a game-changer on Mint Street.
Lloyd’s former coach, Coen, and a couple of his longtime division rivals tend to agree.
Honest conversations with a ‘collision communicator’
While Coen attributes a lot of Lloyd’s breakout success to his work ethic and tenacity, the Jaguars’ head coach also believes the elevation of the linebacker’s skill set came out of in-depth discussions last offseason.
The Jaguars declined Lloyd’s fifth-year option last offseason. Had they picked it up, Lloyd would still be in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars took a risk based on Lloyd’s inconsistent production in his first three seasons. But Coen, defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and linebackers coach Tem Lukabu had a plan for Lloyd in their first collective year together.
That plan worked out quite well.
“I think we did a nice a job meeting with Devin a lot — getting together with him throughout the offseason program,” Coen said. “Then, when we got to training camp, had some more one-on-one discussions with myself, Campy, Tem — his position coaches — just about vision and usage and plan. And so, those conversations were pretty honest and open at an early stage.”
Devin Lloyd of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates with fans at EverBank Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. Mike Carlson Getty Images
The Panthers plan to position Lloyd as their alpha linebacker. They want him to be the primary communicator in the middle of Ejiro Evero’s defense.
And while Lloyd didn’t serve in that role, specifically, in Jacksonville, Coen acknowledges that the 27-year-old defender has no issue being vocal and assertive.
“I think Devin — he can do some of those things,” Coen said. “I think for us, it was more like, he was communicating with (fellow linebacker Foye Oluokun), and Foye was doing a lot more of the calls and the big-picture communication, but every player on every play has to communicate at high level, especially when you’re on the second level of the defense. And he’s a player that we also put on the ball some (as a rusher) in five-down fronts. He was blitzing and involved in the rush sometimes from the coordination.
“So, you have to be a communicator, and like Devin is, I’ll say this, a collision communicator. If you’re kind of not sure what he’s going to say, you’re going to bump into his forehead, and he’s gonna say it. So, I appreciate that.”
Former division rivals laud Lloyd’s big-play ability
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen, who also serves as his team’s offensive play-caller, has had to plan for Lloyd across his first three seasons in Indianapolis. In fact, Steichen’s first game as a head coach was against Lloyd and the Jaguars in 2023.
The fourth-year head coach knew early in his tenure that he was going to have to account for Lloyd’s playmaking ability. The former Utah standout still produced 37 total tackles, a sack, four pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery against the Colts in six games over the past three seasons.
Last year, Lloyd was a standout in the Jaguars’ season sweep of the Colts.
“First off, I think he’s long, he’s rangy — makes a ton of plays in space,” Steichen said. “I do remember, the first time we played them, my first year (in Indianapolis), we were in a meeting and I remember our offensive coordinator, Jim Bob (Cooter), saying ‘I was with this guy in Jacksonville — like he’s long, he’s rangy, he’s gonna get his hands up.’ And sure enough, we had a play down the seam, I think it was to (tight end) Mo Alie-Cox or something, and he jumped and tipped that thing, and it was like, ‘Oh, there it is.’ But yeah, he makes a lot of plays in space, long, rangy, fast — takes the ball away — so I think it’s a great pickup for Carolina.”
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd at EverBank Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. Rich Storry Getty Images
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also faced Lloyd over the past three seasons. During their five bouts against each other, Lloyd produced 33 total tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
After studying Lloyd in college and in the pros, Ryans — a former NFL linebacker — thinks the Panthers got a dynamic defender in free agency.
“You’re getting a really good pass player, but he’s also not just that,” Ryans said. “He is a physical guy who can thump you, knock you back, so we definitely had to prepare. He does a good job matching up (in man coverage), whether it’s tight ends or backs … but his feel in zone coverage is really what sets him apart. And I remember watching him at Utah, and it didn’t take me long to see that, “Oh, this guy is a first-round (pick), top NFL linebacker.’ It took me about 15 plays, like ‘Oh yeah, sign me up for this guy.’ So, (Carolina) is getting a good one.”
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd tackles San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, forcing a fumble, during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. Ezra Shaw Getty Images
While new Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh never faced Lloyd in the AFC South, he was on the opposite sideline for one of the best games of the linebacker’s career. Last year against the San Francisco 49ers, Lloyd produced a pair of interceptions in a 26-21 road win.
Saleh, who was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator at the time, wasn’t focused on Lloyd’s film throughout the week of preparation. But the former New York Jets head coach was aware of Lloyd’s surge as a playmaker.
“I was just watching from afar, but one thing that was common was — and I didn’t study his tape — but I felt like every week I was watching him get the ball,” Saleh said.
The Panthers now hope that Lloyd can get the ball in the NFC South.
If he can make a smooth transition to Carolina and produce consistent takeaways, the defense — especially with outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips also in the mix — could take another huge step forward.
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription