Panthers Sign Linebacker Devin Lloyd to 3-Year, $45M Deal

Carolina adds another young defensive star to support QB Bryce Young and coach Dave Canales.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Carolina Panthers have signed linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million contract, including $25 million guaranteed. Lloyd, a former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is coming off a breakout 2025 season where he made the All-Pro team as a versatile off-ball linebacker with strong coverage skills, blitzing ability, and run support. The Panthers are hoping Lloyd can help redeem a defense that ranked 23rd in expected points added (EPA) allowed last season as the team looks to end its playoff drought.

Why it matters

This signing is part of the Panthers' big offseason push to build a championship-caliber defense around young quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales. After missing the playoffs since 2017, the team is going all-in on the defensive side of the ball, first signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a massive $120 million deal and now adding Lloyd's playmaking abilities in the middle of the field.

The details

Lloyd, a 235-pound linebacker, had a breakout 2025 season with the Jaguars despite playing on just 73% of the team's defensive snaps. He recorded 5 interceptions without allowing a touchdown in coverage, had a missed tackle rate under 7%, and set a career-high with 24 pressures. The Panthers are betting that Lloyd's steady growth and diverse skill set will translate to their defense, providing more than three-quarters of the production of the league's highest-paid off-ball linebacker, Fred Warner.

  • Lloyd was a first-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022.
  • His breakout 2025 season came alongside a career-low 73% of defensive snaps played.
  • The Jaguars declined to pick up Lloyd's fifth-year option, making him a free agent in 2026.

The players

Devin Lloyd

A 235-pound linebacker who was a first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and is coming off an All-Pro season in 2025.

Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers' young starting quarterback who the team is hoping to build a championship-caliber roster around.

Dave Canales

The Carolina Panthers' head coach who is entering a critical season after the team has missed the playoffs since 2017.

Jaelan Phillips

An edge rusher the Panthers signed to a $120 million deal earlier in free agency as part of their defensive overhaul.

Fred Warner

The San Francisco 49ers linebacker who is the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL, setting the market that the Panthers are hoping Lloyd can approach.

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What they’re saying

“Devin Lloyd struggled early in his career, but eventually paid off the Jacksonville Jaguars' first round faith. The former Day 1 draft pick worked his way up to All-Pro status as a versatile off-ball linebacker capable of bringing solid coverage skills, value as an occasional blitzer and sideline-to-sideline run support.”

— Christian D'Andrea, Author (usatoday.com)

What’s next

The Panthers will look to Lloyd to help anchor their defense and support young quarterback Bryce Young as the team aims to end its playoff drought and contend for an NFC South title in 2026.

The takeaway

The Panthers are making a big bet on their defense this offseason, first signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a massive deal and now adding linebacker Devin Lloyd on a three-year, $45 million contract. If Lloyd can build on his breakout 2025 season, he and Phillips could form the backbone of a unit capable of lifting Carolina back to the playoffs.