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The Jaguars received a new contract projection for linebacker Devin Lloyd
NFL free agency is less than a month away, and teams are currently in the process of deciding whether or not to use their franchise tag. The Jacksonville Jaguars have two potential candidates for the tag in running back Travis Etienne and linebacker Devin Lloyd.
Unfortunately for Lloyd, the way the price tag is calculated for the franchise tag for linebackers includes edge rushers, who tend to command a higher price. That is why the tag would result in Lloyd having a one-year, $28 million deal. That would make him the highest-paid non-pass-rushing linebacker in the NFL, and with the Jaguars in the bottom-10 in available cap space, that seems unlikely.
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco agreed with that sentiment as he wrote, “The Jaguars aren’t likely to tag Lloyd. The linebacker tag is projected to be $28.2 million, per OverTheCap.com, which is a large number for a non-pass-rushing linebacker who had an up-and-down first three years. Remember, the team declined to pick up his fifth-year option last spring because of that.”
Now, a contract projection has revealed how much Lloyd is set to receive on the open market, and that may be too much for Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ Devin Lloyd Contract Projection
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper released a list of the top 150 available free agents, and what their projected contract looks like. Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd was listed as the fourth-best free agent available, with a contract projected to be four years, $76 million. That would make him the third-highest-paid interior linebacker based on annual salary.
Regarding Lloyd, Popper wrote, “A 2022 first-round pick, Lloyd put his game fully together in 2025 as one of the best off-ball linebackers in the league. He is an explosive playmaker with a well-rounded skill set. Lloyd is elite in coverage, physical in the run game and disruptive as a blitzer. He has sideline-to-sideline speed.
Lloyd showed off his ball skills in 2025, finishing with five interceptions, tied for second-most in the league. He can take on climbing guards as a run defender and win those matchups. He also had a career-high 28 pressures and finished third in pressure rate among off-ball linebackers.”
Lloyd was an instrumental part of the Jaguars’ defense that finished in the top-10 in points allowed in the 2025 season. Retaining him is a top priority, although a contract like the one listed by Popper seems like a difficult task.
Devin Lloyd’s Feelings
After being selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, Lloyd was asked about his upcoming free agency. He spoke about having success in defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s scheme, saying, “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.”
Additionally, Lloyd stated that his preference would be to stay in Jacksonville as members of his family live there. However, he added that there had been no talks on a potential contract with the team. Whether that has changed in the weeks that followed remains to be seen.
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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