The Jacksonville Jaguars have put together one of the finest defenses in the league during the 2025 season, thanks to their potential for timely takeaways, and no player has had more of an impact on the overall quality of this defense than white-hot middle linebacker Devin Lloyd.
Lloyd is going to be a free agent after this season, following Jacksonville's decision not to pick up his fifth-year option. The former first-round pick from Utah has since put together the finest season of his career. Even Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs felt the sting on Monday Night Football.
Lloyd intercepted the first errant throw of Mahomes' evening, and he proceeded to run it back 99 yards for a touchdown that helped put Jacksonville up 21-14. Lloyd's career year is still in full swing, and he is going to cash in during the offseason.
Not only is it by no means hyperbolic to suggest that Lloyd has a legitimate case to be made for an All-Pro selection, but he is putting together one of the ultimate contract-year seasons in recent NFL history. After this game, Lloyd is going to rightfully demand top-line money at the linebacker position. The Jaguars may be wise to grant that wish.
Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd will get a huge contract after pick-six of Patrick Mahomes
Lloyd already has four interceptions, which is a number some middle linebackers don't reach in three years, and one fumble recovery this season. After years of up-and-down performance, Lloyd had finally found a defense that plays perfectly with his skillset.
Keep in mind that Lloyd had just one interception coming into this season. New defensive coordinator Anthony Campinale, who was a linebackers coach in Miami and Green Bay before taking the Jaguars job, appears to have found the perfect fit for the middle linebacker who can take advantage of his scheme.
With Travon Walker starting to look like a top pick, free agent signing Jourdan Lewis looking like a tremendous addition, and Travis Hunter still doing his thing on both sides, this Jacksonville defense is not only good, but they're young.
The Lloyd Jaguars fans are watching under Campinale is nothing like the guy who was all over the map under Mike Caldwell and Ryan Nielsen. Lloyd is at the heart of this new-look Jaguars defense, and GM James Gladstone will likely not think twice about handing him a big contract.