In an otherwise quiet offseason so far for the Jacksonville Jaguars, one major departure from the team stands out: Devin Lloyd.
Devin Lloyd Had a Breakout Season, Then Left
The fifth-year middle linebacker had a breakout season for the Jags in 2025. It also happened to be in a contract year.
Lloyd recorded 83 total tackles and snagged five interceptions, tied for second in the league. He, along with fellow linebacker Foye Oluokun, anchored the league’s best run defense and eighth-best total scoring defense. They also were second in forced turnovers and third in turnover differential.
The team’s massive defensive improvement from 2024 to 2025 was one of the major catalysts for Jacksonville’s success. Now Lloyd’s departure to the Carolina Panthers on a three-year, $42 million contract leaves a massive void in the middle.
Jacksonville Made No Major Additions at Linebacker
The question now is: can the Jags replace his production? Jacksonville certainly didn’t do themselves any favors in the offseason.
The Jaguars made no additions to the linebacker corps, save for seventh-round linebacker Parker Hughes. That means one thing as training camp rolls around: someone in-house will have to step up and assume Lloyd’s role. But who will it be?
Right now, the three most likely candidates are Ventrell Miller, Jack Kiser, and Branson Combs.
Miller is entering his fourth season with the team. Up to this point, he’s played primarily as a backup, only starting 11 games over the last two seasons, including just two last season. Kiser, on the other hand, barely saw the field in his rookie season last year. The same applies to Combs.
From the outside looking in, it’s very hard to tell if any of them can remotely live up to Lloyd’s performance next season. It’s an ongoing position battle that has raised some discussion surrounding the Jags’ offseason.
Miller is currently the frontrunner for the role, as he battled Lloyd for the starting spot last season but came up just short. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has been impressed by Miller in OTAs, but there is still plenty of time left to make a decision.
The Secondary Could Help Offset Lloyd’s Absence
While it’s unlikely that the run defense will be as stout as it was last season, Jacksonville has plenty of other playmakers that could fill Lloyd’s void in a collective effort. The defensive line, featuring Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, will have to generate more pressure and plug holes in the middle.
Meanwhile, in the secondary, two pieces could be game-changers for the Jags.
Safety Antonio Johnson saw a breakout second half of the season, finishing with five interceptions in just nine games. He’s projected to take on a full-time starting role next season, and he has high promise given his rapid ascension.
Travis Hunter is the second piece. He’s expected to see an uptick in defensive snaps and could be a game-changer at corner. Hunter’s proven to be dangerous wherever he plays and is expected to leap in year two, returning from injury.
Ventrell Miller Should Emerge as the Starter
There is a reasonable projection that the linebacker corps’ production will take a hit given Lloyd’s departure.
But the dropoff shouldn’t be too severe overall. The rest of the defense, mainly the secondary, is still very young and expected to continue improving.
In all likelihood, Ventrell Miller should emerge as the starter for the Jags in the middle. But there is still plenty of time for the starter to be decided, as training camp is just now beginning.
All in all, this should be one of the most compelling position battles of the offseason.
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