Devin Lloyd had a career year in 2025, recording 10 quarterback hits, five interceptions, and seven passes defended. His play elevated the Jaguars defense into one of the top turnover units in football and was a major reason the Jaguars had such a quick turnaround. Lloyd’s breakout season has backed the Jaguars front office into a corner, and they are facing a major financial decision. Due to the fact that multiple players had career years in 2025 under first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and the Jaguars having more glaring issues on the defensive side of the football, they may not be able to pay Lloyd what he desires, but this could benefit the Jaguars in the long term.
Devin Lloyd is expected to be one of the highest-paid linebackers in football, and the Jaguars are currently $9 million over the cap. Throughout the 2025 season, defensive tackle and outside cornerback were weak points on the defensive side of the ball and are needs for the Jaguars defense this offseason. The Jaguars will not be able to make their first draft selection until pick 56, which could mean these positions will be addressed in free agency at a more expensive cost.
What the Jaguars Gain By Not Re-signing Devin Lloyd
Maintaining Production
2023 fourth-round pick Ventrell Miller would likely be Lloyd’s replacement should he leave in free agency. Miller only played 20% of defensive snaps in 2025, but showed flashes of his skill set, allowing a 30.1 passer rating and 50% completion when targeted. Much of what made Lloyd’s 2025 season special was his ability to drop into coverage off a disguise and fool the quarterback. This is an excellent skill to have, but in a zone-heavy scheme, there is a likelihood of this production being replaced.
Positional priorities
Per Pro Football Focus, the Jaguars defensive tackles finished the 2025 season ranked 27th in total pressures and 23rd in pressure percentage. Over the final five games, they were even worse, finishing dead last in pressures and sacks along the interior. Once Arik Armstead suffered a hand injury, the interior pressure was nonexistent, and it cost them in the most important game of the season. The need for a top pass rusher is high on the list for the Jaguars, and it will be an expensive one.
#Jaguars Pressures by Position:
171- #Jaguars EDs (7th)
76- #Jaguars DTs (27th)
62- #Jaguars LBs (2nd)
30- #Jaguars DBs (5th)#Jaguars Pressure % by Position:
12.2%- #Jaguars EDs (16th)
6.7%- #Jaguars DTs (23rd)
16.7%- #Jaguars LBs (22nd)
22.6%- #Jaguars DBs (18th)
— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) February 4, 2026
‘#Jaguars interior pass-rush disappeared after injury to Arik Armstead’
Weeks 14-18:
– 32nd in Pressures (12)
– 32nd in Sacks (0)
Read more! ⬇️https://t.co/26gUzKFloI | @ActionSportsJax
— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) January 14, 2026
Cornerback Greg Newsome II will likely hit the open market in free agency, with Travis Hunter to fill in his place. This leaves pending free agent Montaric Brown as the other outside cornerback. Much like Lloyd, Brown also had a career year after a turbulent first three years in the NFL. Starting safety Antonio Johnson, while not a free agent, was one of the best safeties in the NFL after struggling mightily in 2024.
All three players had career years in 2025, but not all three will be able to remain with the team long term. Of the three players, Lloyd would likely command the most money while playing at the Jaguars least-valued position. Allowing Lloyd to walk allows the Jaguars the necessary cap flexibility to add or maintain talent in the defensive backfield and defensive tackle positions, which were their weakest groups throughout the season.
The Jaguars will not be able to immediately improve after losing Devin Lloyd. The defense could regress early in the season. Despite this, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has shown the ability to get the most out of his players, and he will make the most of his starting linebacker group in 2026. The cap flexibility this will provide will also allow the Jaguars to add the necessary pieces to improve on defense without missing a beat. Long-term, this will be a beneficial decision for the Jaguars.