CHARLOTTE — Devin Lloyd knows he can be intense in practice.
"I just go hard at practice," Lloyd laughed when the subject came up on Thursday with local media.
"I really try to treat practice like the game as much as I can, and obviously there's a time and a place to be physical, I guess you could say…but you can always play fast, you can always play with great technique, you always play, just flying around the field really at 100 miles an hour."
The Panthers' newest linebacker signed with Carolina as a free agent last week, introducing himself to coaches, personnel, and new teammates in the building. One teammate already familiar with Lloyd's style was there with him, though, center Luke Fortner, who played with Lloyd for three years in Jacksonville.
And Fortner made sure to give their new Panthers teammates a heads-up: when it comes time to face Lloyd in practice, they need to buckle their chin straps.
"Devin doesn't stop," Fortner said. "Devin has a motor. He's hard to—sometimes you got to tell him to slow down a little bit, take his time.
"You can't coach what he's got."
That kind of motor, to Fortner's point, can't be taught, but it can be harnessed to reach its full extent. As Lloyd has grown, he's learned how to best channel his energy and physicality, ensuring he's still taking advantage of every snap in practice, while saving himself and his teammates for games.
"There's a time and a place to be smart, not be as physical, be more technical," explained Lloyd. "And I think over the years you learn, especially when you're young, it's like, 'OK, like, I'm trying to get after, I'm trying to make a play.' And now you're more considerate, I guess you could say, of your teammates as you grow over time.
"You've got to treat practice as much as you can like a game, depending on the situation."
It's the kind of intensity, though, that the Panthers want at linebacker. It's practically in their DNA as a team to have someone in the middle who lights the fire for everyone around them. It's even what attracted Lloyd to the team during free agency, since one of those legendary backers is now serving as general manager over the club
"That's a huge plus," admitted Lloyd. "Obviously, he knows what it takes to play my position at a high level in this league, and just my position in general throughout his football career.
"So that's a huge plus, and I think that's why we connected because I feel in many ways we do see the game the same."
Whether in practice or in a game, Lloyd hopes to continue the lineage and work alongside a cast of defensive players who share his passion.
"You got a number of players, Derrick Brown, Jaycee Horn, obviously two most notable, but Tre'von Moehrig, I mean, there's guys all over the defense that make plays," said Lloyd. "And I just want to come in and be a part of that playmaking unit and help elevate it the most I can."
See the former Jacksonville Jaguar in action.
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Jets 48-20. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) runs the ball 99 yards for a touchdown after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) watches the play develop during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) reacts after a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) runs toward Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) rushes during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Colts 36-19. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd talks with a teammate during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) rushes into the backfield during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) celebrates on the field during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) runs to the ball during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) enters the field to face the Buffalo Bills in an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
