With training camp opening Wednesday, the Jaguars have more than a few players walking in with something on the line. For some, it’s about proving they belong. For others, it’s about proving they’re worth paying.
A handful of names stand out as candidates to play their way into bigger money, and the list starts with Parker Washington. The emerging receiver still hasn’t landed a new deal, but the fit is obvious.
He’s a three-level wideout who can handle different jobs on offense, and he brings real value as an elite special teamer. That kind of versatility tends to get rewarded.
Washington’s case got a real boost with his breakout stretch to close the 2025 season, when he led the Jaguars in receiving even though he didn’t become a starter until the second half of the year. Now he’s set for the biggest role of his career, and that could send his price even higher.
Comparable receivers like Jayden Reed and Rashad Shaheed landed deals north of $16 million per year, while Christian Watson’s unusually pricey contract could push Washington closer to the $20 million annual range. The timing of the extension could matter too, since a bigger workload in 2026 could mean even better numbers.
Anton Harrison is another player the Jaguars clearly view as part of the long-term core. The right tackle, a former first-round pick, is coming off what was easily his most consistent and impressive season to date.
Jacksonville already picked up his fifth-year option, which locks him in through 2027 and signals exactly how important he is to the future. That move also makes him a natural extension candidate, much like Travon Walker a year ago.
If the Jaguars and Harrison do get something done, the number could be substantial. A four-year deal worth $92 million - or $23 million per season - fits the recent market at tackle and would put him among the highest-paid right tackles in the league.
Antonio Johnson is a little different, but just as intriguing. The fourth-year safety already flashed last season, splitting time between backup and starter duties while finishing with five interceptions. Now he’s in line for a much larger role as a weekly starter in 2026, and that opens the door for a real jump in value.
The Jaguars may want to see a full season in that role before committing, but the upside is obvious. If Johnson turns that opportunity into a Pro Bowl-caliber year, a deal similar to Trevon Moehrig’s three-year, $51 million contract with the Carolina Panthers last season could be in play.
Then there’s Ventrell Miller, who has a chance to do what Devin Lloyd just did and turn a contract year into a payday. Miller still has to win the job first, with Branson Combs and Jack Kiser also in the mix, but if he comes out on top, he’ll give himself a real shot at a new deal.
He doesn’t have Lloyd’s first-round status or years of starting experience, so the ceiling is different. Still, a strong season could put him in range of something like Nate Landman’s three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams, which pays $7.5 million per year. For a former Day 3 pick and backup linebacker, that would be a major leap.
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Travis Hunters Camp Video Had Jaguars Fans Doing A Double Take
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The reveal was simple enough: Hunter prefers women's deodorant over men's, a choice that quickly became a conversation starter online. It is the kind of quirky personal preference that does not change anything on the field, but in a camp setting where every glimpse of a player gets picked over, it was enough to spark plenty of jokes and discussion among fans and even some players. [Read more 🡒]
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One of the most interesting pieces of that picture is Travis Hunter, who is working his way back after missing most of his rookie season and is expected to line up at cornerback opposite Montaric Brown while still handling both sides of the ball. The Jaguars clearly see him as a difference-maker if he can stay on the field, and his role only adds to the sense that camp is less about finding out who this team is and more about figuring out how high the ceiling can go. Even with so much settled, the biggest test may be whether the pieces around Lawrence and Hunter can turn continuity into something more than just familiarity. [Read more 🡒]
Antonio Johnson Faces A Huge Jaguars Camp Test
Antonio Johnson heads into Jaguars training camp with a chance to turn last seasons breakout into something even bigger. After earning more playing time in 2025 and showing he can move around the secondary, the safety has become one of the more interesting pieces on Jacksonvilles defense, especially with his ability to handle multiple roles depending on what the staff needs.
Johnson is also entering the final year of his rookie deal, which adds another layer to camp beyond the usual competition for snaps. The Jaguars have reason to see him as more than just a useful depth piece now, but the next step is proving he can hold that spot when the pads come on and the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]