![Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (6) asks a teammate for headphones after the Jaguars held their fourth OTA of the year, Monday June 1, 2026 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_162,w_2063,h_1160/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/55/01kzh8fhggge8x6b8fgj.jpg "Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (6) asks a teammate for headphones after the Jaguars held their fourth OTA of the year, Monday June 1, 2026 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
Although safety appeared to be a weakness for the Jacksonville Jaguars last year, it turned out to be a strength. One big reason was that Antonio Johnson exceeded expectations.
Seen as a potential roster cut just before the start of the regular season, Johnson instead had a banner season, registering five interceptions and nine passes defensed. But as good as the former Texas A&M Aggie was in 2025, he could be even better next season.
Johnson is quickly picking up where he left off, making plays throughout training camp. And in preparation for a contract year, he's undergone a noticeable change that's turned heads.
Antonio Johnson looks visibly bigger at Jaguars training camp
Mia O'Brien of Action News Jax posted on Twitter that several players have told her Antonio Johnson has bulked up, adding that he's earning comparisons to Seattle Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori.
Emmanwori was a key cog on the Hawks' Super Bowl run, so the Jaguars would be thrilled if Johnson has that kind of impact next season.
Circling back to O'Brien's remarks on Johnson, she stated after the Day 8 scrimmage that Johnson is the second biggest safety on the Jacksonville roster and still has room to keep bulking up.
It's worth noting that Johnson also bulked up back in 2024, but it didn't help him much since he was eventually benched. Then again, he kind of gets a pass because the whole defense struggled under Ryan Nielsen.
With Anthony Campanile entering his second season as the defensive coordinator, though, Johnson's added weight may turn into a positive this time around.
Antonio Johnson could leave the Jaguars even if he has another banner year
Antonio Johnson will be incentivized to post career numbers once again, as he's entering a contract year: The better he plays, the bigger his next contract will be. That said, he may not get it from the Jaguars.
While the team's brass has done a good job of re-signing its homegrown talent, Johnson has rarely been brought up as an extension candidate. Couple that with the fact that the Jags drafted Jalen Huskey and Caleb Ransaw the past two years, and there's a strong chance they could be bracing for his departure next season.
You could make the case that Jacksonville shouldn't hesitate to pay a premium for Johnson, and you would be right. Teams would love to have a game-changer of his caliber and won't hesitate to make a bid for his services if he hits the open market. On the other hand, precisely because Johnson may ask for top-market compensation, Jacksonville may have trouble keeping him around.
Safety Derwin James signed a three-year, $76.6 million deal in the offseason. If Johnson has another banner season, he could be in a position to demand as much or get a contract in that range. The East St. Louis, Illinois native would be worth every cent. However, Parker Washington is also eligible for an extension, and the team may not be able to re-sign both.
Antonio Johnson already has shown that he can play at a high level, but the added weight could propel him to the next echelon of NFL safeties. And if that happens, he'll get a massive payday from either ther Jaguars or another team.
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