After three unremarkable seasons, the Jacksonville Jaguars watched Devin Lloyd blossom into a game-altering linebacker last year. They could witness Antonio Johnson follow a similar path in 2026.
Johnson was a playmaker in 2025, registering a team-best five interceptions and nine passes defensed. But as good as he was last year, he could be even better next season.
Antonio Johnson could turn into a game-changer for the Jaguars in 2026
Jamal St. Cyr of News4Jax made an appearance on 1010 XL and stated that Antonio Johnson could break out in 2026, noting that he'll enter the season with the same coordinator for the first time in his career.
This led 1010 XL host Ryan Green to wonder whether Johnson could make a "Devin Lloyd" type of leap next season.
"He's a guy I think he's going to have an enormous year," Green told St. Cyr (15:36 mark). "Dare I say, he might take a Devin Lloyd-esque leap at his position. Well, Lloyd was last year at linebacker. I'm wondering if Johnson will have a similar role at safety (or impact) at safety.
St. Cyr then noted that the coaching staff has raved about Johnson's growth on and off the field.
"Yeah, look, he's moving into it. I mean, the coaching staff definitely has raved about the work that Antonio Johnson's done behind closed doors and the leadership role that he's taken on in that safety room, and I mean, think about this time last year, there were some more veteran faces, guys like Darnell Savage in the building, and then now it's really Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson who are the older guys in that room with a bunch of young guys" St. Cyr said.
A first-round pick in 2022, Lloyd got off to a strong start to his rookie but eventually cooled down and was benched in favor of Chad Muma. He got his starting job back the following year but once again struggled. The former Utah Ute was still the starter in 2024 but was outplayed by fellow linebacker Ventrell Miller. This led to questions about his future in Duval, as the team's brass opted not to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.
Surprisingly, Lloyd put it all together in 2025, registering five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and seven passes defensed. He parlayed his breakout season into a lucrative deal with the Carolina Panthers. Based on St. Cyr's remarks, Johnson could follow a similar path.
Antonio Johnson is already a playmaker for the Jaguars
While there's no doubt that Antonio Johnson can be better in his second season under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, his career arc was a bit different from Devin Lloyd's.
A fifth-round pick in 2023, Johnson flashed as a rookie, mostly at nickel. He switched back to his more familiar safety position the following season but was benched. This put him in a position to compete for a job last year. Although the former Texas A&M Aggie lost to Andrew Wingard, he still got plenty of playing time and made the most out of it. By the end of the season, he was the best safety on the team.
Now, Antonio Johnson is in the final year of his rookie deal. If he can have a season like the one Devin Lloyd had in 2025, he'll cash out, either with the Jaguars or another team.
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