All eyes are on Devin Lloyd ahead of the regular season. The Jacksonville Jaguars declined the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, and he'll need to show out in 2025 if he wants to earn a new contract. Having said that, he's not the only Jags linebacker under pressure to deliver. Fellow 2022 draft pick Chad Muma has left much to be desired and is under pressure to deliver.
Back in 2022, the Jaguars raised eyebrows when they made Muma a third-round pick. Sure, linebacker was one of their biggest needs, but they had already added Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd, so the Muma selection felt unnecessary. Then again, the decision wouldn't have gotten as much scrutiny if he had become a steady contributor. However, that hasn't been the case three seasons into his NFL career.
Muma got playing time as a rookie when Lloyd was benched. He was overwhelmed but also flashed a bit. Unfortunately, the former Iowa Hawkeye returned to the sidelines after suffering a knee injury. He got another chance to start a few games in 2023 but once again struggled.
By 2024, Muma had tumbled down the depth chart and started the season behind Oluokun, Lloyd, and Ventrell Miller. He ended up logging 259 defensive snaps (22 percent of the team's total) but only because former defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen liked to rotate his linebackers.
After an underwhelming season, Muma may have an uphill battle to stick around in 2025, especially when you take into account that the new regime didn't bring him in.
Why Chad Muma may not be with the Jaguars in 2025
Even though linebacker wasn't a top need for the Jacksonville Jaguars after 2024, they didn't pass up the chance to add reinforcements to the position. They used a pair of draft picks on Jack Kiser and Jalen McLeon. They then signed Dennis Gardeck in the aftermath.
All three have the ability to blitz the quarterback, and that could help them earn a roster spot. That doesn't bode well for Muma's chances to make the team. In fact, Hays Carlyon of 1010XL thinks he'll be the victim of the numbers game come roster cutdown day.
Foyesade Oluokun has a roster spot locked up. Devin Lloyd and Ventrell Miller will probably compete for the other spot. Although the Jaguars will run a 4-3 defense under Anthony Campanile, teams rarely have three linebackers on the field nowadays, as nickel has become the base formation.
It's uncertain how many linebackers the Jags will carry in 2025, but they kept six last year. For the sake of the argument, let's say that they will devote that amount of roster spots next season. Two spots are earmarked for Oluokun and Miller. If Lloyd isn't traded, he'll take up the third. Gardeck, Kiser, McLeod, and Muma will compete for the other three.
Based on how Muma has fared the past three years, his odds may not be that high. Sure, he could make a strong impression in training camp, but there's an equal chance he'll fail to take advantage of his opportunities.
Either way, the decision to draft Chad Muma doesn't look great after three years, and could look even worse if he fails to crack the roster next season. Heck, don't be shocked if he, and not Devin Lloyd, ends up on the trading block at some point in 2025.
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