June 20, 2026, 10:01 a.m. ET

There’s been no shortage of criticism for the Carolina Panthers and the massive contract they gave edge rusher Jaelan Phillips in free agency. To make a long story short, Phillips—who has yet to amass more than 8.5 sacks in a season—is going to have to produce like a true star in order to justify the $120 million investment that they have made.

Conversely, the takes on linebacker Devin Lloyd’s contract have been overwhelmingly positive. But now, we have a new angle from Ben Solak at ESPN—who seems to doubt that Lloyd’s breakout year in Jacksonville will carry over to Carolina.

Solak writes:

Lloyd certainly played with better physicality last season, but his breakout 2025 seems more related to his role than his actual improvement. After he spent four seasons with the Jaguars, the Panthers gave $45 million over three years to Lloyd, and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero now needs him to be a three-down, off-ball linebacker that makes those sideline-to-sideline plays. Carolina does not have the depth at linebacker to specialize Lloyd’s role the way Jacksonville did… Lloyd played better in 2025, but not as well as his production would indicate. This is a blip year — and it won’t be the only one at the top of the linebacker market, as recent big contracts are aging poorly at this changing position.

Yikes.

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If Phillips’ big deal winds up being a bust it will undoubtedly sting. But if Lloyd’s contract also ages poorly, it will represent a devastating failure in free agency from general manager Dan Morgan.

Hopefully for Morgan, Solak’s concerns are off-base, and Lloyd will be able to fill the more traditional inside linebacker role that the Panthers need from him. His Pro Bowl campaign in 2025, where he tallied career-highs in pressures (25) and interceptions (five), should inspire hope.

Make no mistake—Carolina needs Lloyd to thrive as a pass rusher, in coverage and in run defense if he’s really going to transform this unit from an average one into a (potentially) great one.

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