Devin Lloyd's Return to Jacksonville Reveals How Far He's Come with Carolina Already
Devin Lloyd is a different player than he was even a year ago.
TheCarolina Panthersknew they needed to get better in the middle of their defense this offseason.
As a result, the team went out and signed the best linebacker available in free agency in Devin Lloyd. The Panthers handed Lloyd a three-year, $42 million deal with $25 million guaranteed. That’s a lot of money, but it shows just how much the Panthers believe in the veteran.
And so far, Lloyd has earned that belief. The veteran is already a leader of the defense, and the team is trusting him to wear the green dot in 2026. If you don’t know, that means Lloyd will be the one relaying play calls to the defense.
Lloyd is back in Jacksonville, where he spent the first four years of his career, this week as the Panthers prepare to play the Jaguars in their third preseason contest. Returning to Jacksonville, it’s clear that Lloyd has come a long way before the season even starts.
Lloyd Taking on Bigger Role Than Ever
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union
Lloyd rarely got to wear the green dot in Jacksonville, and the linebacker recently revealed that was one of his conditions for teams in free agency- he wants that responsibility.
“I always practiced wearing the green dot in Jacksonville,” Lloyd told ESPN. “I played with the green dot in a couple of games — shoot, I love it. … That was a nonnegotiable in free agency.”
Well, the Panthers were happy to oblige. With no other clear leader in the middle of the field, Carolina was the perfect landing spot for Lloyd.
“We knew what we were going to get in terms of the on-the-field player, and we do our research, so we knew he was a quality guy, smart … but the communication has been off the charts,” Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said.
The veteran did admit there were some emotions returning to Jacksonville and seeing his old teammates, but he’s content with how things worked out.
“I’m grateful to be in the situation I’m in right now,” Lloyd said. “Ultimately, what I do against them (the Jaguars) and what I do against other opponents, that’ll all speak for itself.”
Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips Could Transform Panthers’ Defense
Lloyd wasn’t the only big-time addition the Panthers made on defense. The team also gave a massive contract to edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, and the hope is that those two additions can take this defense to new heights.
The two veterans got to play in the second preseason game and immediately showed what they can do. But, as Lloyd explained, the Panthers need these two not only for their production on the field, but also for their leadership.