Kosport Magazine: Philadelphia Eagles Secure Starting Safety for the Future
The Philadelphia Eagles have made a smart move by securing starting safety Reed Blankenship for the foreseeable future. The team announced a one-year contract extension that will keep Blankenship with the Eagles until the 2025 season. This move not only solidifies the Eagles’ defense, but also shows their commitment to building a strong team.
According to NFL Network, Blankenship will make $3.935 million in guaranteed money over the next two years, a significant increase from his previous base salary of $985,000. This pay raise is well-deserved, as Blankenship had an impressive 2023 season with 113 tackles, 11 passes defended, and three interceptions. He also had a solid performance against opposing quarterbacks, with a 68.6% completion rate and a 86.5 passer rating.
At just 25 years old, Blankenship has a bright future ahead of him with the Eagles. He will be a key player in Vic Fangio’s defense for the next two seasons, and will have guaranteed money through his restricted free agent year in 2025. This not only benefits Blankenship, but also gives the Eagles stability at the safety position.
With Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson signed for multiple seasons, the Eagles have a strong safety duo for the foreseeable future. However, they also have other talented players in the mix, such as Sydney Brown, who is expected to return from an ACL injury early in the 2024 season. Mekhi Garner and Tristin McCollum will also compete for a roster spot in training camp.
The Eagles’ decision to secure Blankenship’s future also gives them flexibility in the free agent market. They still have $31.84 million in available salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, and could make another move to improve the safety position if they choose to do so.
But what does this mean for the Eagles’ defense? While Blankenship’s contract extension does not save any money towards the salary cap for 2024, it does take away his restricted free agent season in 2025. This shows that the Eagles are committed to improving their secondary, which allowed a 97.6 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks and 35 passing touchdowns in the 2023 season.
The Eagles have already made moves to improve their secondary, signing Gardner-Johnson and Tyler Hall while releasing Avonte Maddox. However, there is still room for improvement, and the Eagles could potentially pursue a top free agent safety like Justin Simmons, who has a history with Fangio from their time together in Denver.
Other top safeties available include Jamal Adams, Eddie Jackson, Quandre Diggs, Micah Hyde, Tracy Walker, Jayron Kearse, Tashaun Gipson, and Julian Blackmon. With a deep safety market, the Eagles have the luxury of taking their time to make a move.
In the end, the Eagles’ decision to secure Blankenship’s future was a smart one. It not only benefits the team in the present, but also sets them up for success in the future. With a strong safety duo and potential for further improvement, the Eagles’ defense is looking promising for the 2024 season and beyond.
