Why the 2026 Jaguars Should Sign a Two-Time Pro Bowl Linebacker
The Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the youngest defensive cores in the entire NFL. Led by defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, Jacksonville had the best rushing defense in the league throughout 2025. The secondary was great as well, with veterans like Montaric Brown having their best season yet. However, the Jaguars had a relatively quiet free agency and didn’t take any big splashes in the 2026 NFL Draft. A huge loss came when linebacker Devin Lloyd, easily the most underrated athlete in the league last season, left in free agency to the Carolina Panthers. General manager James Gladstone, despite emphasizing his importance to the franchise, didn’t make enough of an effort to re-sign Lloyd and has yet to sign a replacement. This has made the linebacker position a huge question mark for the team entering 2026, with decisions still needing to be made.
Currently, the linebacker room is top-heavy. The team lacks any depth in case of injury or other incidents that would take a player out of the game for weeks at a time. Former tackles leader Foyesade Oluokun and former Florida Gator Ventrell Miller lead the charge, with Jack Kiser and the rest of the squad following behind. A definitive downgrade from last season, with many of the others not having starting NFL experience. Head coach Liam Coen has made it known that veteran leadership is needed for any successful franchise. That’s what cost the Jaguars a deep playoff run in 2025, as a lack of playoff experience made them an early exit.
However, that could change in 2026, as a former playoff competitor is still on the market. That would be former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick. Currently only 31 years old, the two-time Pro Bowler could provide leadership to a young core that would not go unnoticed. Despite a lack of production during his last two seasons, joining a Super Bowl contender like the Jaguars could revive his former talents. The Camden native has 61.5 sacks through his nine seasons in the NFL, alongside 21 pass deflections, 18 forced fumbles, and 455 tackles. If Gladstone decides to make the move and signs him to a team-friendly contract, it could be the low-risk, high-reward deal that would help push the Jaguars deep into the playoffs.
