Surprising Decision on Top Tackler's Contract Renewal by Jaguars
Revamped Rewrite:
J' ol' Juice-town Jags have stirred up a storm with their offseason moves, none louder than swapping spots for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, nabbing two-way heavyweight Travis Hunter. But not all's quiet in J'ville, with the team's decision on linebacker Devin Lloyd causing a commotion among fans.
The Jags scooped up Lloyd with the 27th pick in the 2022 draft, and he's proven to be a linchpin on defense. Yet, despite Lloyd's stellar 2024 play (113 tackles, two sacks, an int, four pass deflections), the Jags' brain trust passed on picking up his fifth-year option—leaving Lloyd a potential free agent as soon as 2026.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler tweeted the deets: "Jags won't be picking up Devin Lloyd's fifth-year option, and he'll hit the open market in '26."
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Lloyd's been a tackling machine at the core of the Jags' D, notching a minimum of 110 tackles in each of his first three seasons. And while he shines on defense, Lloyd's coverage metrics leave something to be desired. Still, he's no doubt essential to the Jags, making this questionable decision even tougher to swallow.
Now, the parties could still hash out a contract extension before Lloyd dons a different jersey in 2026, but a new regiment in the front office might not see Lloyd as part of their insightful plans. For now, Lloyd serves as a vital cog in the Jags' D, but whether he'll be a fixture beyond 2025 remains in limbo.
Inside The Numbers:
Currently, there are no ongoing negotiations for a long-term extension between Lloyd and the Jags. The team has signaled they won't pick up Lloyd's fifth-year option, setting him up to enter free agency in 2026. Lloyd's rookie deal, worth $12.94 mil over four years with a $6.59-mil signing bonus, will expire after the 2025 season, with the fifth-year option extending the deal one more year at a higher salary.
The chances of a potential extension are murky at best—the team might assess Lloyd's performance before committing to a longer-term agreement. However, as things stand, no talks on extending Lloyd's stay with the Jags have been reported.
- The Jaguars' decision not to pick up Devin Lloyd's fifth-year option has left his future with the team uncertain.
- Lloyd's performance on the field, especially his impressive tackle numbers, has solidified him as an essential player for the Jaguars' defense.
- Despite Lloyd's impact, his coverage metrics could potentially affect contract negotiations with the Jaguars.
- The Jaguars and Lloyd are currently not engaged in any ongoing negotiations for a long-term extension.
- The expiration of Lloyd's rookie deal after the 2025 season means he will become a free agent in 2026, unless the team exercises his fifth-year option or agrees to an extension.
- Rumors are circulating about potential mega-trades involving the Jaguars in the NFL, adding another layer of intrigue to Lloyd's uncertain future with the team.
