Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars

As the Jacksonville Jaguars look to solidify one of the NFL’s most improved secondaries, second-year safety Antonio Johnson has emerged as a quiet but critical force—providing depth, versatility, and consistency to a safety group that anchors the team’s defensive resurgence. Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars highlights the growth of a player who went from a developmental rookie in 2024 to a trusted contributor in 2025, stepping into key roles alongside starters Andre Cisco and Rayshawn Jenkins. At 6’2”, 215 pounds, Johnson brings a unique blend of physicality (he recorded 18 tackles in limited snaps last season) and coverage skills (he allowed just a 52tch rate when targeted), making him a perfect fit for defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s hybrid scheme. For a Jaguars defense aiming to shut down AFC passing offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, Johnson isn’t just a backup—he’s a Swiss Army knife who can line up at free safety, strong safety, or even in the box as a run defender, ensuring the secondary never misses a beat. Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars also underscores the Jaguars’ ability to develop young defensive talent, a key factor in their push for a Super Bowl run. This article explores Johnson’s role, his on-field impact, and how he’s elevating the Jaguars’ safety corps.

Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars began with a deliberate focus on growth during the 2025 off-season. After a rookie year spent learning the ropes—mostly on special teams and in garbage-time defensive snaps—Johnson arrived at minicamp with a mission to earn more playing time. He spent extra hours with secondary coach Deshea Townsend, studying film of opposing tight ends and running backs to improve his pre-snap reads. He also added 10 pounds of muscle to better handle run support duties, a priority for Campanile’s scheme. The work paid off immediately: during the first week of training camp, Johnson intercepted quarterback Trevor Lawrence in a red zone drill, reading a check-down pass to running back Travis Etienne Jr. and stepping in to make the play. As camp progressed, he continued to impress: he recorded 7 tackles and a forced fumble in the Jaguars’ first preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he held his own in coverage against Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph in a joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings. “Antonio put in the work this off-season, and it shows,” Campanile said in a post-practice interview. “He’s no longer a rookie learning the system—he’s a player who knows his role, understands the scheme, and can make plays when we need him. That’s the kind of depth that wins games.” By the start of the regular season, Johnson had secured a spot in the Jaguars’ defensive rotation, seeing snaps in sub-packages and spelling Cisco or Jenkins when they needed rest.

Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars also shines a light on his versatility—a trait that makes him indispensable to Campanile’s game plan. Unlike some backups who specialize in one role, Johnson can seamlessly shift between free safety (where he patrols deep coverage), strong safety (where he lines up near the line of scrimmage to stop runs), and even “dime safety” (where he covers slot receivers or blitzes the quarterback). This flexibility was on full display during the Jaguars’ Week 3 win over the Houston Texans: with Jenkins sidelined by a minor ankle injury, Johnson stepped in as the starting strong safety, recording 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and a pass breakup against Texans tight end Dalton Schultz. Later in the game, when Campanile switched to a nickel package, Johnson moved to free safety, allowing Cisco to shift into the box. “Antonio’s versatility keeps offenses guessing,” Townsend said. “They can’t look at our personnel and know where he’s going to line up—he could be covering a tight end one play, blitzing the next, or stopping a run. That’s a huge advantage for us.” Johnson’s ability to play multiple roles also reduces wear on Cisco and Jenkins, who logged over 900 defensive snaps each in 2024. With Johnson in the mix, the Jaguars can give their starters rest during regular-season games, keeping them fresh for the playoffs.

Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars underscores the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on secondary depth—a priority born from last season’s struggles when injuries to the safety group forced the team to use inexperienced backups. In 2024, when Cisco missed two games with a shoulder injury, the Jaguars’ secondary allowed 28 points per game and 3 passing touchdowns, a significant drop from their season average of 21 points per game. This year, with Johnson providing reliable depth, the Jaguars don’t face that risk. During a Week 6 practice, when Jenkins was given a rest day, Johnson took all first-team reps at strong safety and didn’t miss a single assignment—whether it was covering a tight end, stopping a run, or communicating coverage calls to the cornerbacks. “Depth at safety is non-negotiable in the NFL,” said general manager Trent Baalke. “You need a player who can step in and perform at a high level when your starter goes down, and Antonio is that player. He’s consistent, he’s smart, and he’s ready to contribute whenever called upon.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on secondary depth is even more critical this season, as they face a schedule filled with elite passers like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. With Johnson in the safety group, the Jaguars can trust that their secondary will remain solid, even if injuries strike.

Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars also highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to building chemistry in the secondary—a key factor in their defensive success. Johnson has made it a priority to bond with Cisco and Jenkins off the field, joining them for weekly film nights and pre-practice walkthroughs to sync their communication. During these sessions, they discuss everything from opposing players’ tendencies to how to adjust coverage calls on the fly. This off-field chemistry translates directly to on-field performance: against the Texans, Johnson and Cisco combined to break up a potential touchdown pass to Schultz, with Johnson alerting Cisco to a route adjustment and Cisco making the final play. “Chemistry in the secondary isn’t just about talking—it’s about knowing what your teammate is thinking before they say it,” Johnson said in a post-game interview. “Andre and Rayshawn have been great mentors to me, and we’ve built a trust that lets us play fast and loose. That’s why we’re so effective as a group.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to building chemistry is evident in the secondary’s stats: through the first six weeks of the season, they’ve allowed just 6 passing touchdowns and recorded 8 interceptions, ranking 5th in the NFL in pass defense. Johnson’s role in that success can’t be overstated—he’s the glue that holds the safety group together, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars concludes with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ goal of using their strong safety group to fuel a deep playoff run. For the Jaguars, a reliable secondary is essential to competing with the AFC’s top teams—teams that rely on dynamic passers and elite receivers to win games. With Johnson, Cisco, and Jenkins, the Jaguars have one of the most balanced and versatile safety groups in the league—a group that can stop the run, cover tight ends, and create turnovers. Whether it’s Johnson spelling a starter, Cisco intercepting a deep pass, or Jenkins making a tackle in the box, the Jaguars know they have the talent to shut down any offense. “Our safety group is a strength, and Antonio is a big part of that,” Campanile said as the Jaguars prepared for a Week 7 matchup with the Chiefs. “He gives us the flexibility to adjust to any offense, and he’s proven he can make plays in big moments. That’s the kind of player you need when you’re fighting for a Super Bowl.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ goal of using their strong safety group to fuel a deep playoff run is shared by Johnson, who remains humble despite his growing role. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play with such great players,” Johnson said. “Andre and Rayshawn have taught me so much, and I’m just trying to do my part to help the team win. Whatever the defense needs—covering, tackling, blitzing—I’m ready to do it.” Antonio Johnson Supports Safety Group for Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t just a story about a backup safety; it’s a testament to the Jaguars’ focus on depth, development, and teamwork—traits that will be essential if they hope to hoist their first Super Bowl trophy. As the regular season progresses, all eyes will be on Johnson and the safety group—waiting to see if they can continue to anchor the Jaguars’ defense and lead the team to championship glory.