The Jacksonville Jaguars did a good job of locking up their own players in the offseason. Aside from re-signing cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker in free agency, they also extended long snapper Ross Matiscik, defensive end Travon Walker, and tight end Brenton Strange. That said, the team's brass still has work to do.
Wide receiver Parker Washington is probably the next in line, but Jacksonville should also make an effort to re-sign safety Antonio Johnson. A fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, Johnson is coming off a banner season, registering a team-best five picks and nine passes defensed.
As good as the Texas A&M Aggie was in 2025, he could be even better next season. While the Jags would surely love him to take his game to the next level, it also means that they will have to fork out even more money if they want to keep him around. The longer they wait, the rates for safeties will keep going up. Just now, Grant Delpit raised the floor at the position.
Antonio Johnson will look at Grant Delpit's deal in negotiations with the Jaguars
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Cleveland Browns gave Grant Delpit a three-year deal worth $48 million that includes $35 million in guaranteed money. He had a base salary of $1.2 million next season and had no guarantees left on the contract he signed in 2023.
After inking his new extension, Delpit's average of $16 million will rank ninth among safeties in the NFL. That's significantly less than the $25.2 million per year that Derwin James will make, but it isn't chump change either. Other safeties, including Antonio Johnson, could use his contract as the baseline in negotiations.
A second-round pick in 2020, Delpit has become a mainstay of the Cleveland secondary, registering 451 total tackles, 21 passes defensed and seven picks in 78 career games. He most definitely deserves his new deal. That said, you could make the case that Antonio Johnson is better and deserves a bigger deal.
Why the Jaguars must hurry up to pay Antonio Johnson
Antonio Johnson was benched in 2024, and he deserves plenty of flak for failing to come through. That said, the East St. Louis, Illinois native was far from the only Jacksonville defensive player who struggled under Ryan Nielsen, so he most definitely deserves a pass, especially when you take into account that he had previously flashed.
As a rookie, Johnson flashed big-play potential at nickel, recording two interceptions and one forced fumble. He got back on track once Nielsen got the boot and Anthony Campanile became the defensive coordinator.
It's fair to assume that Johnson should be even better in his second season under Campanile. Working against him is that the Jags already drafted a pair of safeties, Caleb Ransaw and Jalen Huskey, in back-to-back years, so they can afford to let Johnson walk next year.
If Antonio Johnson doesn't get an extension in 2026, all he can do is give it his all and make it impossible not to re-sign him. The downside is that the Jaguars may have to pay more money. Then again, they may not mind if he puts up another banner season.
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