With Devin Lloyd gone, the hard-hitting linebacker is seizing his chance to start. Coach Liam Coen praises Miller’s vocal leadership before the "thumper" unleashes his physical style.
Jacksonville Jaguars' coach Liam Coen is excited about linebacker Ventrell Miller.
Speaking at Jaguars' Minicamp, Coen raved about Miller, who is competing for a full-time starting role for the first time in his career. After the loss of LB Devin Lloyd to the Carolina Panthers, Miller will now have an opportunity to step up and fill the void left in Jacksonville's defense.
Coen has been impressed with Miller thus far in offseason practices, nothing that Miller has done a good job with his communication assignments. However, Coen insists that we won't be able to do what he does best until training camp.
"Yeah, Ventrell, he's continuing to get those reps again. It's been different with Foye not being in there, right?" Coen responded about Miller. "So that has put a whole onus on those other guys, Ventrell, Jack, and Branson, to step their game up, and I don't mean in terms of really play, I just mean alignment, assignment, communication, checks, all that stuff. So I don't think we're able to really see what Ventrell does best right now, right?"
Of course, what Coen is referring to is Miller's hard-hitting style. Contact is not allowed in OTA practices, and no team wants to risks injuries to its players at this point in the offseason. Miller is a thumper, and his ability to fly to the ball in run defense is his best trait. That is something nearly impossible to showcase without being able to finish the play with a wallop. Coen agrees, and notes that that part of Miller's game will be on display soon enough.
"That this is not a setting in which we're gonna feel him do what he does best, which we know is thump, stop the run, be somebody that can run sideline to sideline and get downhill. So we're trying to stress him and stress those guys in coverage a lot more this spring, and I think he's responded," Coen said.
First Opportunity To Be A Full-Time Starter
Miller is entering his fourth year in the league, but this will be his first opportunity to be a full-time starter. His rookie year in 2023 ended before it began. Miller suffered an Achilles tear in August and missed the entire season.
Miller returned in 2024 and played well. Many thought he would be a starter the following year, but Lloyd held on to that spot and excelled, becoming one of Jacksonville's best defensive players.
Now with Lloyd gone, Miller is next in line to showcase his talents. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile worked his magic with Lloyd last season and will be looking to do the same with Miller in 2026.
The Jaguars didn't make any notable additions to compete with Miller, something Coen has noted in the past. The job is Miller's to lose. His coach is confident that Miller will be an impact player this year. Coincidentally, this season is the last of Miller's rookie contract, so he stands to make a ton of money with a good season.
Final Thoughts
Miller's time to shine is almost here. Although unproven, the coaching staff has full confidence that Miller can step in for Lloyd without the defense skipping a beat.
Expectations are sky-high for Jacksonville's defense in 2026. Coach Coen believes Miller will rise to the occasion, even if everyone else has to wait a few weeks before seeing him do what he does best.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
