NFL free agency 2026: Panthers agree to deal with Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd
Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan is investing in the inside linebacker depth chart.
The team agreed to terms with former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd on Monday, a league source confirmed to The Charlotte Observer.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $45 million over three years. The deal comes with $25 million in fully guaranteed money, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Lloyd won’t be able to officially sign the contract until 4 p.m. Wednesday, at the start of the new league year.
The 2025 Pro Bowl defender, once the signing becomes official, will be added to an inside linebacker group that already features Trevin Wallace and Bam Martin-Scott.
Lloyd will be positioned at the top of depth chart.
Getting to know Devin Lloyd
Lloyd, 27, is coming off his first Pro Bowl season in the NFL. The former Utah Utes defender had a career year with 81 tackles, 1.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and five interceptions. The Kansas City, Missouri, native also had 10 QB hits on the campaign.
During his four-year career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2022 first-round pick produced 436 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 26 pass breakups and nine interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker has missed just five games in his NFL career.
Why Lloyd makes sense for the Panthers
The Panthers made it clear throughout the first two months of the offseason that they planned to upgraded their inside linebacker group. Morgan, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, discussed his plan to “attack” the position at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
“In terms of free agency and the draft, I think that’s a position that we’ll, you know, try to attack,” Morgan said in Indianapolis. “We’re looking for guys that are leaders, that are playmakers, and that are culture fits for us. We’re excited about attacking that and putting the work in.”
Lloyd is a standout at the position — particularly in coverage. His ability to line up against opposing running backs and tight ends makes him an ideal fit for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s system. Lloyd has also had success as a blitzer, which is another major function of the position in Evero’s attack.
Lloyd will be a notable upgrade over Christian Rozeboom — a pending unrestricted free agent — who was initially signed last offseason as a backup and special teams ace. Wallace, a two-year starter, could line up next to Lloyd or be challenged by another new recruit, most likely from April’s draft. Rozeboom could also be brought back as Wallace’s competition or as special teams depth.
Earlier on Monday, the Panthers agreed to terms on a four-year, $120 million pact with former Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Jaelan Phillips. With Phillips and Lloyd added to the defensive front, the Panthers will need to open up cap space through restructures and/or releases.
But those two additions should make the Panthers’ defense significantly better coming off an NFC South-winning campaign.
This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 10:10 PM.
