Devin Lloyd credits 2 Jaguars coaches for breakout season

The Jacksonville Jaguars were well aware that linebacker Devin Lloyd would be difficult to keep after having a breakout season in 2025. The Jaguars didn't have much to work with, given their tight salary cap situation , and while they reportedly made Lloyd an offer, he ended up signing with the Carolina Panthers. Presumably, Jacksonville couldn't come close to Carolina's three-year, $45 million deal.

Lloyd was one of the most in-demand players in free agency this year. In 2025, he earned a spot in the Pro Bowl for the first time, and was also named a second-team All-Pro. He was one of the highest-graded linebackers last year, and was a huge contributor on the defense, doing anything and everything Anthony Campanile asked of him.

And while Lloyd is leaving, he is still appreciative of what Jacksonville's coaches were able to do for him. In a new interview with Mike Kaye, he said the improvement in coaching led to his banner year. "We talk about coaching, coaching helps develop players," he said.

"Obviously every player is talented, and they have a skill set, and now it's on coaches at all levels, from high school all the way up to the NFL, to really help those players get the most out of the talent that they have. " In 2024, Ryan Nielsen was the defensive coordinator for the Jaguars, and under his leadership, the Jacksonville defense struggled. Multiple defenders were forced to put on weight that hampered their abilities, and Nielsen was replaced in 2025 by Anthony Campanile.