Carolina Panthers Ink LB Devin Lloyd To $45 Million Deal

The Carolina Panthers have had an active first day of free agency, adding their second big piece on defense. According to multiple reports, Carolina has signed the top linebacker on the market, bringing in Devin Lloyd on a three-year, $45 million deal with $25 million guaranteed.

Panthers Land Devin Lloyd

Getting Devin Lloyd is a huge piece to Carolina’s defense. Lloyd was by far the best linebacker available in free agency and can be used in multiple ways. He is great at making open field tackles and even better in pass coverage, which is something the Panthers desperately needed. Not to mention, signing him for just $15 million a year is an absolute steal, especially looking at what linebackers are getting paid now.

Last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had 81 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions. He did it all for the Jaguars and was their leader in the middle of the field. The Panthers made a great effort to land an All-Pro linebacker to their defense, which needed a player who could elevate them almost immediately. Their additions today will only take pressure off Bryce Young, who put together another solid campaign in 2025.

Big Day For Carolina

Earlier on, the Panthers signed Jaelan Phillips to a massive four-year, $120 million contract. This move was extremely shocking for two reasons. One, the fact that they gave him $30 million per year, after he’s shown that he is more capable of racking up pressures than actual sacks. Two, Phillips departed from Philadelphia, since many made it known that Howie Roseman was pushing hard to get a deal done.

Carolina added the best linebacker and edge rusher available in this year’s free agent class, and is finally pushing their chips in. They fell short against the Rams in the Wild Card round, but are strong contenders to win the NFC East for the second straight season following these two moves. If they can follow this up with a strong draft in April, the Carolina Panthers will be in a very strong position next season.

What’s Next: Dominating The South

Right now, the Carolina Panthers are having the best free agency out of anyone in the entire NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons have been quiet, with the New Orleans Saints being the runners-up. Dan Morgan has done a great job adding stars to the defense and needs to keep his foot on the gas.