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Antonio Johnson has become one of the Jacksonville Jaguars most important players.
The 24-year-old safety, who was Jacksonville's fifth-round pick in 2023 out of Texas A&M, exploded onto the scene last season. After beginning his career as depth for the Jaguars as a slot cornerback, Johnson transitioned to safety in 2024, where he began as a rotational piece and made the occasional start.
However, last season, Johnson became a regular starter after Eric Murray was injured. Johnson started eight games in 2025, but was one of Jacksonville's most impactful defensive players.
For the season, Johnson finished with 58 total tackles, a pair of sacks, and an impressive five interceptions, including a pick-six. His 87.4 overall defensive grade from PFF ranked first among all 98 qualified safeties. Johnson's 88.4 coverage grade was also tops at the position.
The upcoming 2026 season will be Johnson's first as a full-time starter. If his season looks anything like last year, he will firmly entrench himself as one of the NFL's best safeties.
It couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is hitting his stride just in time for free agency next offseason.
As a fifth-round pick, Johnson signed a rookie contract that was for four years and $4,141,832, giving him an average annual value of $1,035,458. Though his stellar play has earned him some extra money with performance bonuses, Johnson heads into the season as one of the NFL's best bargains.
Another solid season and Johnson's bank account will look a lot different a year from now.
Compared to other top safeties, Johnson is making only a fraction of what they make.
A small fraction.
Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers recently signed an extension worth $25.2 million annually, taking the top spot from the Baltimore Ravens' Kyle Hamilton, whose AAV is $25.1 million. Kerby Joseph and Antoine Winfield Jr., of the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both have contracts exceeding $21 million per year. Every other safety in the top-10 makes at least $15 million per season.
Antonio Johnson is about to get paid.
Johnson has two things in his favor for his upcoming contract negotiations. Stellar play and youth. He will only be 25 when he hits free agency (if Jacksonville doesn't extend him first), making it reasonable to expect Johnson is just about to hit his peak.
If Johnson replicates his success from 2025, he would be justified in asking to become the league's highest-paid safety. The cheapest Johnson's extension would be would probably fall in between the $25 million and change of the top two and Joseph's third-highest $21.5 million AAV.
Needless to say, Johnson's next contract will be a life-changing amount of money.
Johnson's rise to prominence couldn't have come at a better time for him financially. On the field, his ascent was a major catalyst for the Jaguars' magical 2025 season.
That is no coincidence.
There is no denying that Johnson has exceeded any reasonable expectation for a fifth-round pick. The Jaguars get one more season of Johnson at a criminally discounted rate.
A year from now, if Johnson maintains his trajectory on the field, he will be recognized by everyone as one of the NFL's best safeties.
And one of its highest-paid.
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Continue reading...
The 24-year-old safety, who was Jacksonville's fifth-round pick in 2023 out of Texas A&M, exploded onto the scene last season. After beginning his career as depth for the Jaguars as a slot cornerback, Johnson transitioned to safety in 2024, where he began as a rotational piece and made the occasional start.
However, last season, Johnson became a regular starter after Eric Murray was injured. Johnson started eight games in 2025, but was one of Jacksonville's most impactful defensive players.
For the season, Johnson finished with 58 total tackles, a pair of sacks, and an impressive five interceptions, including a pick-six. His 87.4 overall defensive grade from PFF ranked first among all 98 qualified safeties. Johnson's 88.4 coverage grade was also tops at the position.
The upcoming 2026 season will be Johnson's first as a full-time starter. If his season looks anything like last year, he will firmly entrench himself as one of the NFL's best safeties.
It couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is hitting his stride just in time for free agency next offseason.
Johnson Is About To Get Paid
As a fifth-round pick, Johnson signed a rookie contract that was for four years and $4,141,832, giving him an average annual value of $1,035,458. Though his stellar play has earned him some extra money with performance bonuses, Johnson heads into the season as one of the NFL's best bargains.
Another solid season and Johnson's bank account will look a lot different a year from now.
Compared to other top safeties, Johnson is making only a fraction of what they make.
A small fraction.
Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers recently signed an extension worth $25.2 million annually, taking the top spot from the Baltimore Ravens' Kyle Hamilton, whose AAV is $25.1 million. Kerby Joseph and Antoine Winfield Jr., of the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both have contracts exceeding $21 million per year. Every other safety in the top-10 makes at least $15 million per season.
Antonio Johnson is about to get paid.
What Could His Next Contract Look Like?
Johnson has two things in his favor for his upcoming contract negotiations. Stellar play and youth. He will only be 25 when he hits free agency (if Jacksonville doesn't extend him first), making it reasonable to expect Johnson is just about to hit his peak.
If Johnson replicates his success from 2025, he would be justified in asking to become the league's highest-paid safety. The cheapest Johnson's extension would be would probably fall in between the $25 million and change of the top two and Joseph's third-highest $21.5 million AAV.
Needless to say, Johnson's next contract will be a life-changing amount of money.
Final Thoughts
Johnson's rise to prominence couldn't have come at a better time for him financially. On the field, his ascent was a major catalyst for the Jaguars' magical 2025 season.
That is no coincidence.
There is no denying that Johnson has exceeded any reasonable expectation for a fifth-round pick. The Jaguars get one more season of Johnson at a criminally discounted rate.
A year from now, if Johnson maintains his trajectory on the field, he will be recognized by everyone as one of the NFL's best safeties.
And one of its highest-paid.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
