Jaguars Share Plan to Replace Star Devin Lloyd

The 2026 offseason has been quiet for the Jacksonville Jaguars for good reason.

With limited salary cap space, no first-round draft selection despite having 10 picks total for the NFL Draft, the Jaguars find themselves in a fascinating situation under general manager James Gladstone. The hope is that the current establishment of the roster, its future assets who will be onboard in over a month, and coaching continuity can lead to sustained success in 2026.

Gladstone Jags — Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It is important to have a plan in place, and the Jaguars under Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen seem to have one in place for almost everything, including replacing former star linebacker Devin Lloyd, who signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Coen spoke to reporters on Tuesday to share the Jaguars' potential plan on how the team will replace the All-Pro linebacker.

Coen shares intel on Lloyd's replacement, importance of the "green dot" on defense

Coen Jags — Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

For a team in the Jaguars' position, having a plan in place to replace talent is of the utmost importance. What has helped is some impressive drafting from former general manager Trent Baalke to establish depth and potential starters across the board, and one player in particular who looks to be ready for a significant role on defense is linebacker Ventrell Miller.

Miller, a third-year linebacker from Florida, has started 11 games in Jacksonville, including nine as a rookie, where he tallied 80 tackles and four tackles for loss in an impressive rookie season. Miller has seemingly become the insurance policy in the case of Lloyd's departure, as Coen raved on his growth, noting that the lack of moves at linebacker should give the 27-year-old defender confidence.

Miller Jags — Jan 4, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) after the game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

"I think that when Ventrell was asked to play a lot of meaningful snaps last year, I think we saw some really good things and then there's some things we can continue to coach off of," Coen said. "I think anytime you give a player confidence without telling them anything, like right now if you're him and we haven't signed anybody yet, you should say, 'well, at least they believe in me. At least they think I can do it.'"

According to Coen, it is now on Miller to put it together and take over as a standout defender for the league's No. 1 run defense from last season. The second-year head coach believes Miller is made of the right stuff and is excited about what his linebacker's third season could look like. However, the importance of wearing the "green-dot" is high for Miller.

Lloyd Jags — Dec 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) and Jacksonville Jaguars safety Eric Murray (29) celebrate after an interception against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

The green dot is the indicator for coach and player communication as the player calls out the plays given to him through an earpiece within the helmet from the offensive or defensive play-caller. Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville's starting MIKE linebacker, wears the green dot most of the time, though Lloyd wore it a few times during this past season, as Coen called him a "collision communicator" for how intentional he was with the call-outs.

"Every player on every play has to communicate at a high level, especially when you're at the second level of the defense, and he's a player that we also put on the ball some in five-down fronts," Coen explained. "[Lloyd] was blitzing and involved in the rush sometimes from the coordination. So, you have to be a communicator."

Oluokun Jags — Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis (13), center, can’t haul in a reception against Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42), bottom, and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23), left, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

How does this play in for Miller? It puts an onus on him to be a more effective playmaker at the second level and puts less stress on Gladstone to address the position in the NFL Draft, which he may still do regardless. However, having that insurance and competition is how things got to this point, where the Jaguars aren't having to lean on a newer player to take significant snaps when someone with experience is already in the picture.

It is fair to question the plan from Gladstone and Coen. However, they have already shown throughout the year that they are capable of succeeding within that plan.