The Jacksonville Jaguars have a logjam at safety. While free-agent acquisition Eric Murray will tentatively start at one spot, the other one remains up for grabs, and there's a three-way battle to get it. Based on the comments from special teams coach Heath Farwell, third-year veteran Antonio Johnson has a chance to come out on top.
Johnson is competing with Darnell Savage and Andrew Wingard. He was listed as a co-starter with Dewey on the unofficial depth chart the team posted before the Week 1 preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There still doesn't appear to be a favorite to get the starting nod following the 31-25 loss to the Steelers, but Farwell says that he's been pleased with Johnson's impact on both defense and special teams.
Related: Winners and losers from the Jags preseason game vs. the Steelers
What did Jaguars special teams coach Heath Farwell say about Antonio Johnson?
Following Day 13 of training camp, Heath Farwell told the local media that Antonio Johnson has been a core contributor, not only as a gunner but on defense as well. Here's the skinny.
"Johnson's, obviously, been a core guy for us. Antonio has been fantastic in all phases, really, not just gunner. He's a stud," Farwell said when asked how Johnson has fared in coverage thus far (13:34 mark). "But some young players have done really well. I think it was a good display."
Farwell continued, "What Rayuan Lane did in the game, that's something we've seen all training camp, and it didn't surprise me he was going to show up as a gunner outside. We have such good competition outside. Chandler Brayboy has done a good job as well, so there's a bunch of good players mixed between our veteran core guys that have been really studs for us, to these young players that are super competitive, they're looking for a job."
Like Johnson, rookie Rayuan Lane is listed as safety but isn't competing for the starting job next to Eric Murray. Instead, he's expected to carve a niche on special teams, a role in which he thrive for the Navy football program.
Antonio Johnson has a shot at earning a starting job with the Jaguars
It's worth noting that Heath Farwell heaped praise on Antonio Johnson because he was specifically asked about him, but if the inquiry had been about either Andrew Wingard or Daniel Thomas, the Jaguars special teams coach would've surely offered a positive review.
Circling back to Johnson, he's certainly made a strong impression in training. It's certainly helped that he's gotten leaner since the end of the 2024 season. Moreover, the East St. Louis, Illinois native has shown that he's capable of playing at a high level in the NFL.
A fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, Johnson got playing time at nickel early in his rookie season. He made the most of his opportunity and flashed enough talent that he supplanted Tre Herndon in the slot by the end of the year.
Expected to keep improving in 2024, Johnson moved back to safety, his natural position. However, he struggled and was eventually benched. Although the former Texas A&M Aggie eventually got back into the starting lineup, he left a bit to be desired.
The good news is that there's a new regime in place, and Antonio Johnson (and all returning players) got a clean slate. So far, he's taken advantage of it.