Jaguars' Antonio Johnson Earns Performance-Based Pay Bonus

The fifth-round pick from 2023 will receive over $1 million in additional compensation.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:04pm

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Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson is among the NFL players to receive a Performance-Based Pay bonus for his strong play during the 2025 season. Johnson will receive $1.065 million from this program, which is the 20th-highest amount among any player from the 2025 season and more than his $1.03 million base salary.

Why it matters

The Performance-Based Pay program is designed to provide additional compensation to players who outperform their salaries, often younger players on rookie contracts. Johnson's bonus highlights his value to the Jaguars as a versatile defensive back who took on an expanded role in 2025.

The details

Johnson graded out well as a run defender, held pass catchers to under 10 yards per reception, and recorded 5 interceptions and 3 pass breakups. With the departure of Andrew Wingard in free agency, Johnson is expected to take over a full-time starting role at safety next to Eric Murray this season.

  • Johnson was a fifth-round pick by the Jaguars in the 2023 NFL draft.
  • Johnson will receive the $1.065 million Performance-Based Pay bonus for his play during the 2025 season.

The players

Antonio Johnson

A safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars who was a fifth-round pick in 2023 and is expected to take over a full-time starting role in 2026.

Andrew Wingard

A former Jaguars safety who signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, opening the door for Johnson to become a full-time starter.

Eric Murray

The Jaguars' other starting safety who will play alongside Johnson in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“He's gotten so many reps now at doing what we're doing, and I think he's very comfortable but he's also, like I said last week, he's playing a lot of roles for us. He's playing nickel, he's playing safety, he's playing some dime, move him around a lot and I think he's doing a lot of the things that he does well.”

— Anthony Campanile, Jaguars Defensive Coordinator

The takeaway

Antonio Johnson's Performance-Based Pay bonus demonstrates the value he provided the Jaguars in 2025 as a versatile defensive back who outperformed his rookie contract. His expanded role and strong play have earned him a chance to be a full-time starter in 2026, highlighting the Jaguars' ability to develop mid-round draft picks into key contributors.