The Panthers picked off Jaguars' All-Pro LB Devin Lloyd, a ball-hawking force with five interceptions last season, securing a lucrative three-year deal.
As expected, the Jacksonville Jaguars lost free-agent linebacker Devin Lloyd, who on Monday agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers, according to multiple reports.
The Panthers are reportedly set to sign Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million contract, with $25 million guaranteed, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported late Monday.
Lloyd was a second blow for the Jaguars on Monday, as running back Travis Etienne Jr. is leaving Jacksonville for the New Orleans Saints. The four-year starter agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract with the Saints.
Jaguars' starting cornerback Greg Newsome II on Tuesday agreed to sign with the New York Giants on a one-year, $10 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Free-agent contract agreements are expected to become official with the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
Lloyd was arguably the best defensive player the Jags fielded this past season, and he was not expected to remain in Jacksonville.
Last April, the Jaguars declined to pick up a fifth-year option for Lloyd, their first-round draft pick out of Utah. His four-year, $13 million rookie contract expired with the new league year, making Lloyd an unrestricted free agent.
Lloyd started 15 games this season; he was out for two games and limited for three more due to a preseason chest injury and a nagging calf injury through midseason.
Still, the 27-year-old ball-hawk and vocal leader of the Jags' secondary had his best season ever in the NFL.
Lloyd was the only regular player for the Jags voted a 2025 All-Pro (second team) after finishing the regular season with 81 tackles (35 solo), 10 quarterback hits, seven passes deflections, six tackles for loss, five interceptions (one a pick-six), 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. (Long snapper Ross Matiscik made first-team All-Pro for the third straight season.) He was also selected for All-AFC honors from Pro Football Writers of America, named the AFC's top middle linebacker on the PFWA's All-Defensive Team for 2025.
The awards and honors and plaudits that piled up for the 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker by the end of the 2025 season made the value of his leadership, skills and experience clear throughout the league.
Lloyd earned AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September and Defensive Player of the Week following the Jaguars' Week 4 victory over the 49ers in San Francisco.
His five interceptions and six takeaways this season tied for the second and third most in the NFL, respectively -- helping the Jaguars collect 22 interceptions among their 31 takeaways on the season, second only to the Chicago Bears' NFL-best 23 picks for 33 takeaways. (Third-year safety Antonio Johnson, who started nine of 17 games for the Jags last season, also had five interceptions.)
Lloyd is just the second player in the last 20 years to have at least 10 quarterback hits and five picks in a season -- the first since Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker and future Hall-of-Famer Lavonte David in 2013.
The Panthers, who went 8-9 last season and stumbled their way into an NFC South title, counted 15 interceptions last year, but the team has had limited coverage ability inside. Over the last two seasons, Carolina has tallied just two picks by linebackers.
The Jaguars are expected to be awarded a fourth- or fifth-round compensatory draft pick in 2027 after losing Lloyd in free agency, according to multiple reports.
The Jaguars announced Monday they have retained two impending free agents in cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker Dennis Gardeck.
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