The Cincinnati Bengals are aiming to acquire linebacker Devin Lloyd from the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency to improve their linebacker corps, which ranked last in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) overall grades in 2025. With Lloyd’s rare combination of skills across all defensive phases, Cincinnati hopes to address a critical weakness in their defense.
Devin Lloyd’s Versatile Play Makes Him a Key Asset for Bengals
Lloyd is distinguished by his exceptional three-down performance, excelling in run defense, pass coverage, and pass rushing—all with PFF grades exceeding 80.0, a feat unmatched by any other linebacker last season. This ability to contribute consistently on every down is precisely what the Bengals need after a disappointing year from their youthful and unproven linebacker group.
Last season, the Bengals’ linebackers struggled significantly, leading to a league-worst PFF grade that highlighted the absence of dependable starters. Signing Lloyd would immediately place the highest-graded linebacker on Cincinnati’s roster, offering stability and impactful presence on the field.
Financial Considerations and Balancing Team Priorities in the Offseason
Given Lloyd’s standout season, his contract demands are expected to be substantial, reflecting his value as an all-around linebacker. Cincinnati faces the challenge of balancing the investment required to land Lloyd with other urgent roster concerns, especially shoring up the defensive line after surrendering the most rushing yards in the NFL during 2025.
How aggressively the Bengals pursue Lloyd will provide insight into the organization’s overall strategy—whether they aim to overhaul their defense swiftly in one offseason or prefer a more gradual rebuild stretching over multiple years.
Impact of Lloyd’s Signing on Bengals’ 2026 Draft Approach
If the Bengals successfully sign Lloyd, they would gain flexibility in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially focusing more on offensive upgrades rather than addressing linebacker needs. Cincinnati has shown interest in bolstering offensive weapons to support quarterback Joe Burrow, and acquiring Lloyd in free agency could free up draft capital for these pursuits.
Without securing Lloyd, the Bengals might need to allocate early draft picks to strengthen the linebacker unit, limiting their ability to enhance other areas. Lloyd’s addition would thus enable Cincinnati to divide their offseason resources between defensive free agency and offensive draft selections efficiently.
“Al Golden’s defense is in dire need of an overhaul, particularly at linebacker.”
?Mason Cameron, Analyst
