Reed Blankenship’s rise from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl champion should be the kind of success story that secures a player's long-term future with an organization. Instead, the 26-year-old safety finds himself in contractual limbo, earning just $3.5 million per year while the Eagles maintain radio silence on extension talks.
With his current deal set to expire after the 2025 season and training camp fast approaching, Blankenship’s situation has become one of the most compelling storylines surrounding Philadelphia’s title defense.
“Last I heard, there have been no talks about a contract extension,” Eagles insider Anthony DiBona said during a recent livestream of The Philly Special Show. “According to a source, there have not been talks between the Eagles and Reed Blankenship at this point.”
The silence is particularly jarring given Blankenship’s contributions. On Feb. 9, 2025, he started in Super Bowl LIX and had three combined tackles (one solo) during a 40–22 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. He earned the first Super Bowl ring of his career.
His path to championship glory included stellar playoff performances: 11 combined tackles and a forced fumble in the wild-card victory, followed by seven combined tackles and a fumble recovery in the NFC Championship Game as the Eagles routed Washington 55–23.
Blankenship’s regular-season production paints the picture of a high-end starter being paid like a backup. He finished the 2024 season with 78 combined tackles (62 solo), six pass deflections, and a career-high four interceptions in 15 games — all starts.
Over his first two seasons as a starter, Blankenship has totaled 191 combined tackles, 17 pass breakups and seven interceptions. The only other players in the NFL to match those numbers in that span are Julian Love (232/22/7), Jessie Bates (234/21/10) and Xavier McKinney (204/22/11). Yet in 2025, Blankenship is set to earn just $1.4 million in cash — far below the market value for a player of his caliber.
The safety market has changed dramatically in recent years. Analyst projections suggest Blankenship could be looking at around $15 million annually, with some speculation that he could push into the $20 million-per-year range with a career year in 2025. A realistic target may be closer to $12 million annually — roughly $36 million over three years — a massive jump from his current contract.
Philadelphia’s approach becomes more puzzling when evaluating their depth chart. After trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, the Eagles are left with a relatively inexperienced secondary. The current top cornerbacks — Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Kelee Ringo — are all 23 or younger.
At 26, Blankenship is now the veteran leader of Philadelphia’s secondary, taking on increased responsibility amid major roster turnover.
His leadership will be critical as the Eagles attempt to repeat as champions with a rebuilt secondary filled with youth and inexperience.
The Eagles currently have $30.7 million in available salary cap space, making their inaction on Blankenship’s contract more about choice than constraint. The organization appears to be betting they can either lock him up at a discount or pivot to a cheaper option.
It’s a calculated risk that could backfire if Blankenship delivers another high-impact season and hits the open market in 2026.
For a player who has consistently exceeded expectations, the lack of extension talks represents more than just business — it’s a statement on how Philadelphia values the players who deliver in their biggest moments. As camp nears, the Eagles’ silence may be the loudest message of all.