The Philadelphia Eagles, led by general manager Howie Roseman, are known for their proactive approach to extending contracts for key starters, often locking them in early with multi-year deals. Recent extensions for stars like Saquon Barkley, Cam Jurgens, and Lane Johnson reflect this strategy. However, one of Philly’s top defensive players, safety Reed Blankenship, remains without a long-term deal as he enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, raising questions about his future with the team.
Blankenship, a fourth-year pro, is set to earn $3.5 million this season after receiving a one-year salary bump in April 2024. Despite his value to the Eagles’ defense, particularly following the team’s decision to part ways with C.J. Gardner-Johnson and draft second-round rookie Andrew Mukuba, Blankenship’s contract situation remains unresolved. A recent report from The Athletic suggests that Blankenship is still part of Philadelphia’s long-term plans, but speculation from Last Word on Sports writer Anthony Palacios paints a different picture—one where Blankenship could be traded as part of a cost-cutting move.
Palacios argues that the Eagles may need to prioritize cap space for a looming mega-extension for star defensive tackle Jalen Carter, which could come as early as spring 2026. “The team might have to move carefully in the following seasons as they want to allocate as much cap space for Jalen Carter when he’s eligible for a contract,” Palacios wrote. While Blankenship’s market value is unlikely to approach the hefty $20 million-plus annual salaries commanded by top safeties like Detroit’s Kerby Joseph or Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield, Palacios notes that “you never know what might happen in the league.” He adds, “It is all speculation, but many deals tend to fall apart, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Eagles end up trading Blankenship, given they’ve been able to develop more superstars in recent memory.”
The safety market’s relatively low value could work in Philadelphia’s favor if they choose to extend Blankenship. With only two NFL safeties earning over $20 million annually, Roseman could secure Blankenship with a team-friendly, multi-year deal that includes void years to manage the cap hit. Unlike the situation with defensive tackle Milton Williams, whose future contract could strain the Eagles’ budget, Blankenship’s extension should be more manageable.
Still, the lack of a deal before the 2024 spring minicamp is surprising, especially given the current state of the Eagles’ safety depth chart. Trading Blankenship would be a shocking move, considering his contributions and the team’s need for stability at the position. For now, Philadelphia can afford to take its time, but fans will be watching closely to see whether Roseman opts to lock in Blankenship or makes a bold move that could reshape the roster in a brutal cost-cutting shake-up.