The 2026 Jaguars Have Decisions to Make with Their Linebackers
After losing Pro Bowl linebacker and former All-Pro Devin Lloyd in free agency to the Carolina Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars had some reassessing to do. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and head coach Liam Coen knew there would be a gap to fill after the loss, but they have high hopes for their corps heading into 2026. The team currently has six linebackers signed heading into camp, led by veteran starter Foye Oloukon, who led the NFL in solo and combined tackles in 2022 and 2023. Behind the former Atlanta Falcon, whom several members of Jacksonville’s front office and coaching staff have expressed praise for his leadership, the rest of the group will battle for positions on the depth chart.
One key athlete to watch for is former Wake Forest linebacker Branson Combs. Heading into his second NFL season after being an undrafted free agent in 2025, Combs is expected to be the backup to Oloukon. He appeared in 10 games in 2025, mostly to gain field experience, as the franchise aims to continue his development heading into his sophomore campaign. Another name to watch is Lloyd’s expected replacement, Ventrell Miller, who’s been riddled with injuries to start his professional career. The team has high hopes for Miller, hoping he can blossom into the perfect replacement for Lloyd as he joins the starting squad alongside Oloukon. There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding him, however, as there are doubts about what Miller brings to an expanded role at the NFL level.
Behind the injury-prone Miller, the expected backup is 2025 fourth-round selection, Jack Kiser. Kiser hasn’t appeared in many games to start his NFL career, giving more uncertainty to the depth of the Jaguars defense. Behind Kiser, Jacksonville still has their recent seventh-round selection in Parker Hughes. The linebacker out of Middle Tennessee will be on the outside looking in when it comes to the depth chart. However, Hughes fits the standard that this front office has set for developing prospects. If he shows flashes early in training camp, it is likely that Hughes makes the roster to start the season and puts Combs in trouble for a job.
