He has worked hard every step of the way, and now safety Reed Blankenship is being rewarded for all of that diligence. He has agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2025 campaign, the Eagles announced on Monday, continuing a story of an undrafted player who has worked hard to become a quality starter here.
And he's just in the early stages of his caeer.
"For me, it's just about getting better and better and working at my game," Blankenship said at the end o the 2023 about his offseason goals. "I think I can improve in every part of my game, so that's what I'm looking forward to doing."
Definitely on the upward swing, Blankenship has already made tremendous strides in his career. Not drafted after an outstanding five-season career at Middle Tennessee State, Blankenship made the Eagles' roster in 2022 as a rookie and saw action in 10 games, with four starts. He made an instant impact, replacing an injured C.J. Gardner-Johnson in a Monday Night Football game against Green Bay and picking off an Aaron Rodgers pass, and Blankenship showed in that instant that nothing would faze him. Blankenship recorded 32 total tackles and had two passes defensed in his rookie campaign, preparing him for a breakout 2023 season.
Starting 15 games, Blankenship recorded a team-best 108 total tackles, 75 of them solo hits. He was credited with 11 passes defensed, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery, becoming one of only five NFL players last season to have 105-plus tackles, 3-plus interceptions and 10-plus passes defensed.
Blankenship moves into his third NFL season as one of the leaders on the defense, ready to fill any void and contribute in Vic Fangio's defense every way that he is asked.