{"id":859168,"date":"2026-04-07T15:20:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/859168\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T15:20:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:20:26","slug":"the-8-key-jaguars-who-are-entering-contract-years-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/859168\/","title":{"rendered":"The 8 Key Jaguars Who Are Entering Contract Years in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> have already made some progress on keeping key free agents, but there are always more names to watch. <\/p>\n

With Travon Walker signed to a four-year deal <\/a>on Friday, which Jaguars are the next ones to enter contract years? We break down the lengthy list below. <\/p>\n

TE Brenton Strange <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCorey Perrine\/Florida Times-Union \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This is one of the biggest names on the list. The Jaguars have already made it clear throughout the offseason that Strange is a part of their future, so it is much more so a question of when, not if, he lands a new deal with the team. Strange could very well be in line for a breakout season in his second year in Liam Coen’s offense. <\/p>\n

DB Antonio Johnson <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCorey Perrine\/Florida Times-Union \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Antonio Johnson should play a bigger role for the Jaguars in 2026 after he served as their No. 3 safety for much of the 2025 season. Johnson ended the year as one of the team’s most impactful defenders and a true ballhawk for Anthony Campanile. His role as a big nickel could make him even more valuable moving forward. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCorey Perrine\/Florida Times-Union \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

There is a real chance Parker Washington is the Jaguars’ leading <\/a> receiver for a second year in a row. He is expected to play a starting role from the onset of training camp, a role he did not have last season until halfway through the year. Washington is going to play a massive role for Liam Coen’s offense, and he already has the trust of Trevor Lawrence<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorgan Tencza-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Ventrell Miller is not exactly facing the same situation that Devin Lloyd<\/a> was facing a year ago. But he is entering a contract year with a chance to make a massive impression. It remains to be seen what happens with the draft, but as things stand today Miller is the odds-on favorite to start at linebacker and replace Devin Lloyd. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

There is a good argument to make that Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik is the best long snapper of the decade. A multiple-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler, expect for the Jaguars to not want to disrupt an impressive special teams trio. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Arik Armstead was easily the Jaguars’ best interior pass-rusher a year ago, and he would have likely been even better if not for a hand injury. Armstead is set to once again play an important role in the Jaguars’ pass-rush equation. <\/p>\n

DL DaVon Hamilton <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoug Engle\/Florida Times-Union \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Perhaps the MVP of the Jaguars’ run defense a year ago, DaVon Hamilton has made big plays for the Jaguars against the run for the last six years. He is the tone-setter of the middle of the defensive line, and arguably one of the team’s most cosistent players. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCorey Perrine\/Florida Times-Union \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

There is a case to be made for Ezra Cleveland as the Jaguars’ top offensive lineman from a year ago. Cleveland was strong in pass-protection and offered more as a run-blocker than he had in past seasons. It was the best Cleveland has ever played for the Jaguars, and good enough to make him the favorite to start over Wyatt Milum<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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