Devin Lloyd Embraces Leadership Role as Panthers' New Inside Linebacker

Coaches have given him play-calling responsibility with the green dot to test whether his study-first approach can restore Carolina’s vaunted linebacker tradition.

Overview

The Panthers signed Lloyd in March to a three-year free-agent deal reported at roughly $42 million and have identified him as an early locker-room leader.
Coaches are slated to give Lloyd the green dot on his helmet so he will make pre-snap adjustments and direct the defense on game plays.
Lloyd has emphasized heavy film study, drawing formations on a whiteboard and close work with coaches as his primary method for learning the Panthers’ scheme.
He has sought guidance from Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly on film-session techniques and has already drawn praise from coach Dave Canales for his immediate impact in the meeting room.
Carolina hopes Lloyd’s 2025 breakout and Pro Bowl pedigree can help stabilize a historically strong but recently uneven inside linebacker spot and sustain the team’s defensive progress.