Safety Antonio Johnson is heading into the final year of his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and following a breakout 2025 season, a big payday could be coming his way next offseason following another strong performance in 2026.
Daire Carragher listed the highest-rated players, among all positions, heading into a contract year for Pro Football Focus
, and Johnson came in at No. 3 with an 86.8.Johnson was the highest-graded safety in the league last season in coverage thanks to five total interceptions along with three pass breakups. Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 53.4 when throwing into Johnson’s coverage.
With just one season of real success under his belt, Johnson needs a similarly strong 2026 campaign to prove his worth
to the Jaguars or another potential candidate in need of a safety next offseason. He appears to have bulked up since we last saw him, with reports coming out of camp that a role closer to what we have seen from Nick Emmanwori in Seattle could be in the pipeline for Johnson entering Year 4.
Johnson's career didn't quite start off strong, but he ended up improving greatly under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. As Carragher mentioned, he was the highest-graded player at his position, allowing just 202 yards in total the entire season. He also held pass-catchers to 9.0 yards or less, and had five interceptions, nine passes defensed, and two sacks.
As Carragher also mentioned, Johnson will need to prove that 2025 wasn't just a fluke, and that he is legitimately a star safety. Another strong season would undoubtedly be good news for both Johnson and the Jaguars, but it could also complicate his future in Jacksonville. He would then enter free agency as one of the most coveted safeties available, and command a price that forces the Jaguars to decide just how heavily they want to invest in keeping him.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: PFF ranks Jaguars Antonio Johnson among NFL's top contract-year players
