![Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) runs on the field before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7, capturing the AFC South title. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_278,w_4983,h_2802/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01kvzne59x42mrpjwayc.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) runs on the field before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7, capturing the AFC South title. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
The Jacksonville Jaguars were not deterred by some breakout seasons at wide receiver or two more young tight ends coming in via the NFL Draft, as they still maintained the belief that tight end Brenton Strange was an integral part of this offense.
The Jaguars gave Strange a three-year contract worth up to $48 million if he maximizes his potential. That average annual value would put him first in the AFC and fourth in the league among tight ends, behind San Francisco's George Kittle, Arizona's Trey McBride, and Atlanta's Kyle Pitts.
The Jaguars still have enough wiggle room to sign these three players long-term, even with Trevor Lawrence's contract and the recently extended Travon Walker also in town.
3 Jaguars who should be extended next after Brenton Strange deal
3. WR Parker Washington
Washington had always been a solid complementary playmaker and returner in his Jaguars career, but he stepped on the gas in 2025. His 847 yards and five touchdowns don't fully crystallize his impact, as he was on the receiving end of many a Lawrence throw in crunch time.
2026 will be pivotal, as he needs to show that the second half of last year was not a flash in the pan. It will be hard to turn down a long-term deal if he does.
2. OT Anton Harrison
Even though Anton Harrison has been up and down to start his pro career, he has generally been a solid performer. Heck, he's coming off his best season and even graded out as a top-32 tackle in the eyes of Pro Football Focus, and his pass blocking was one area of particular excellence. Beefing up the offensive line is never a losing strategy.
With Cole Van Lanen impressing last season and the free agent acquisitions of Robert Hainsey and Patrick Mekari providing some beef on the interior, Jacksonville's good (not great) offensive line could get a bit more long-term stability by locking up the former first-round pick.
1. S Antonio Johnson
Antonio Johnson was widely considered to be a major steal when Jacksonville nabbed him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. While he has had his lows, Johnson was nothing short of elite last season, as he was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded safety while tallying five interceptions and nine passes defensed.
Johnson is the one provably above-average player in a weak secondary, and Jacksonville clearly believes both he and Travis Hunter will be enough to make up for some poor play elsewhere.
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