A long-expected move just happened with former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd set to join the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
The deal was reported by NFL Media's Mike Garafolo. Lloyd is set to sign a three-year, $45 million deal with $25 million guaranteed.
Lloyd, 27, was originally drafted by Jacksonville in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft after the team traded up from the second round of that year's draft to pick No. 27 to select him out of Utah.
TAMPERING: Jaguars NFL free agency negotiations tracker: Latest news, rumors
Lloyd had been a full-time starter with Jacksonville's defense ever since. He has played in 63 games (61 starts), accounting for 436 total tackles (230 solos), 15 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, nine interceptions and 26 pass breakups over four years.
Lloyd enjoyed his best season as a pro last year, earning a Pro Bowl nod and was voted as a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.
Retaining Lloyd was never expected to be feasible in Jacksonville due to his high price tag as the top linebacker on the open market.
The Jaguars will now turn to other free agents or the NFL Draft to acquire depth at the linebacker position. The team is slated to return middle linebacker Foye Oluokun , but does not currently have a penciled-in starter next to him.
The team selected LB Jack Kiser in last year's draft and has multiple players with some play experience including Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs on the roster.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars' Devin Lloyd set to join Panthers in free agency
