Reed Blankenship, Houston Texans
Getty
Reed Blankenship of the Philadelphia Eagles waits on base during the Cooper DeJean All-Star Charity Softball Game.
The Houston Texans have made several changes to their roster this offseason, and the decision to bring in Reed Blankenship could be among the most impactful.
Blankenship brings starting experience in a defense that keyed a Super Bowl victory for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, and that is something many feel the Texans are on the verge of being.
A stabilizing presence could prove to be all that was needed.
Texans’ Reed Blankenship Lands on Scout’s List
Reed Blankenship, Houston Texans
GettyReed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles visits SiriusXM on Radio Row at Super Bowl LX.
Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks, now an analyst for the league, believes Blankenship will further elevate the Texans, who are “loaded at cornerback” and get “elite play” from top duo Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter.
He put Blankenship on his list of “overlooked free-agent signings that could pay serious dividends.”
While the list was not ranked, Reed was the second entry.
“The Texans’ spectacular secondary adds a high-IQ traffic cop with outstanding instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills. Blankenship’s steady presence in the middle of the Eagles’ defensive backfield enabled the Super Bowl LIX champions to befuddle opponents with various umbrella coverages while frequently placing their ultra-talented cornerbacks on the island,” Brooks wrote on March 13.
“Blankenship’s ability to roam the middle as a designated playmaker should thus help DeMeco Ryans’ defense continue to suffocate the high-powered offenses in the AFC.”
The Texans signed Blankenship to a three-year, $24.7 million contract in free agency.
Reed Blankenship Earned Big Payday
Reed Blankenship
GettyReed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles signals against the New Orleans Saints.
Blankenship leaves behind an impressive, albeit relatively brief, legacy in Philadelphia as he joins the Texans in Houston.
“Blankenship is an impressive story — 6-year college player who endured a devastating injury. UDFA who was at the bottom of the roster. Made the 53 by carving a STs role. Earned a starting role in Yr 2. Was a key player on a Super Bowl-winning defense by 3rd year. He was a defensive captain by fourth year,” The Athletic’s Zach Berman posted on X on March 2. “And next week, I’d expect him to sign for a good payday. He’s made $5.98M in four years. He might get close to 2x that total per year next week.”
“(If it gets to that number, I don’t expect it to happen in Philly. He’s earned the payday.)”
Blankenship did not just double his career earnings; he more than quadrupled them in his new deal with the Texans.
The Texans cycled through multiple options alongside Calen Bullock last season, even pulling Jalen Pitre from his nickelback role. Adding Blankenship, they hope, prevents that kind of turnover in 2026.
Reed Blankenship a Perfect Fit
Reed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles could be a Cowboys free-agent target.
GettyReed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Buffalo Bills.
Blankenship’s former Eagles secondary mate and fellow “Exciting Whites” member Cooper DeJean offered more praise that bodes well for the Texans’ new safety’s fit with the group.
“Before every f****** game you were in the huddle like, ‘F*** these guys! Let’s go rip their f****** head off!” DeJean told Blankenship on their “Exciting Mics” podcast after the Texans signed the veteran in free agency.
Blankenship said speeches like that are not his thing, but he embraces stepping up.
“Hey, bro, it’s just how I’m feeling. It’s what you feel. And if that’s what you feel, that’s cool. If you don’t feel like that, do what Dallas [Goedert] does and tell jokes,” Blankenship said. “That’s part of it. That’s part of being that role. If you take it on, you gotta do stuff outside of your comfort zone. And that’s something I didn’t like to do. That’s part of it.”
Houston Stressans posted Reed should fit well in Houston [laughing face emoji] on X on March 13 in reaction to the clip.