NFL Trade Rumors: Jacksonville Jaguars Decline 5th-Year Option on Linebacker Devin Lloyd

The Jacksonville Jaguars may have just put a promising young defensive star on the market. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Jaguars will not pick up linebacker Devin Lloyd's fifth-year option.

The #Jaguars are not picking up the fifth-year option for linebacker Devin Lloyd, per source. He is now set to hit 2026 free agency.

Lloyd was productive last season with 113 tackles, two sacks, one interception and four pass deflections.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 30, 2025

The Jaguars drafted Lloyd with the 27th overall pick of the first round back in 2022, and he is about to enter his fourth season in the pros. Activating his fifth-year option would have guaranteed him $14.571 million in 2026. Instead, he'll hit unrestricted free agency following the 2025 season.

Impact

It's a shocking move by the Jaguars. Lloyd has started 46 of a possible 51 games since entering the league and has amassed 355 tackles, four interceptions, and 19 passes defended. Those aren't empty stats, either. He earned a 76.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, 24th best out of 189 qualified linebackers.

The Jaguars have overhauled their front office and coaching staff since last season, so new head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone may want to rebuild their roster with their own people. Still, if that were the case, they missed an opportunity to find an alternative to Lloyd in the draft or free agency. Their most significant addition at the position was Notre Dame's Jack Kiser in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

In any case, rival teams should begin eyeing Lloyd immediately. He's a productive, 26-year-old linebacker set to enter his prime, and he'll be fighting to prove he deserves a lucrative contract this season. It could be worth it to a savvy franchise to jump the line and offer the Jaguars a 2026 draft pick in a trade right now, particularly if Jacksonville's relationship with Lloyd has soured. If he feels rejected and has revenge on his mind, he could be a significant asset to the right team.