The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't the only team making an effort to keep their homegrown talent. Just recently, the Los Angeles Chargers sent shockwaves across the league when they gave Derwin James a blockbuster extension.
At first sight, the news doesn't appear to affect the Jags, but it most definitely does. Like the Bolts, they just so happen to have a pretty good safety in Antonio Johnson that is entering a contract year. Already, he got a performance-based bonus for his play in 2025, and his price might have just gone up after James got his new deal.
The Jaguars may have a tough choice with Antonio Johnson after Derwin James got paid
The Chargers just gave Derwin James a three-year deal worth $75.6 million with $57.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL. That he got paid isn't necessarily breaking news, as Los Angeles general manager Joe Hortiz had made it clear that he wanted the 2018 first-round pick to finish his career with the Bolts. What stands out is that they spare no expense to make it happen.
Before James inked his new extension, Kyle Hamilton was the highest-paid safety at $25 million per year. Kerby Joseph was second with an annual average of $21.5 million. It's also worth noting that the 10 highest-paid safeties make $15 million or more annually. That's not great news for the Jaguars.
Johnson, a sixth-round pick in 2023, is coming off a season in which he logged a team-best five interceptions, nine passes defensed, and two sacks. Moreover, he's not a one-year wonder. Although the former Texas A&M Aggie struggled in 2024, he had two interceptions and a forced fumble as a rookie.
With Anthony Campanile returning as the defensive coordinator, Johnson should have no trouble picking up where he left off. That will pose a conundrum for the Jaguars.
Re-signing Antonio Johnson may not be a priority for the Jaguars
The Jaguars gave Travon Walker a four-year deal worth $110 million early in 2025. They're also making an effort to give new deals to wide receiver Parker Washington and tight end Brenton Strange. Shockingly, there haven't been any reports (if any) about Jacksonville re-signing Antonio Johnson.
This doesn't mean it won't happen, but it appears, at least for the moment, that Johnson isn't a priority. Couple that with the fact that the Jaguars have third-round picks on Caleb Ransaw and Jalen Huskey in back-to-back years, and perhaps they're bracing for Johnson's departure next season.
Heck, John Shipley of Sports Illustrated doesn't think Jacksonville will re-sign Johnson even if he has a banner season, and he has a reason to believe so. Running back Travis Etienne and linebacker Devin Lloyd had banner seasons in 2025. Nevertheless, both of them bolted in free agency. Clearly, there's a precedent in Jacksonville for letting breakout players walk.
The good news is that the Jaguars have a bit of time to make a decision. And if Antonio Johnson has yet another career season, it will be hard to justify letting him leave even after the additions to the safety room the past two years.
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