The Philadelphia Eagles are sitting pretty at 3-0. But a quiet tension does simmer in the defensive backfield. It’s that kind of a situation... like a classic baseball dilemma: a veteran pitcher is getting the start based on his contract and past glory, while a flame-throwing rookie sits in the bullpen, waiting for his shot. And the Eagles have their own version of this playing out at safety.
Reed Blankenship used to feel like a steal. An undrafted Alabaman who crashed the NFL party in 2022, he flashed ball-hawk swagger with a kind of underdog grin that made Philly fans happy. Three Septembers later the smile is still there, but the plays have gone missing. Now, the math is straightforward.
Blankenship, playing on a one-year deal worth $3.575 million, is struggling profoundly. His Pro Football Focus grade of 33 through three games ranks near the very bottom of the league. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old rookie from Zimbabwe keeps jumping routes and cashing checks that cost the club half as much. Hence, the financial commitment to Blankenship is now a glaring topic of discussion.
Eagles' Costly Commitment
Let's talk numbers. Blankenship’s price tag isn't just veteran minimum money. It's a real investment. For that cost, the Eagles expected the reliable starter from 2023. Instead, they have a player who has been consistently targeted. He was beaten for a deep touchdown by Davante Adams in Week 3 after allowing another long score against the Chiefs.
The performance simply hasn't matched the expectations, creating a significant financial inefficiency on the roster. And the decline is stark.
Blankenship’s PFF grades tell a clear story: 78.9 in 2022, 73.4 in 2023, 69.5 in 2024, and now 33.0 in 2025. This isn't a minor slump. It's a precipitous drop. Meanwhile, his coverage metrics are alarming. He has already allowed a touchdown and a passer rating of over 114 when targeted. This level of play inevitably raises questions about the team's evaluation process. But Reed is not a regular player.
The former undrafted free agent is also among the 8 captains the Eagles elected in August. And that further complicates things.
The Rookie Shines
Andrew Mukuba, however, is providing all the right answers on the field. His fourth-quarter interception against Travis Kelce and the Chiefs was a momentum-shifting play. He returned it 41 yards, showcasing the ball-hawking ability the Eagles desperately need. Mukuba’s PFF grade sits in the respectable high-60s, lightyears ahead of his veteran counterpart. And he is playing with a confidence that belies his rookie status.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni is publicly supporting his entire safety room. He said, "I'm really excited about the (safety) room we have. I think they've done a really nice job to date. Got a good young player in Andrew Mukuba, who continues to get better." While diplomatic, the praise for the rookie is specific and earned.
The coaching staff must now decide how to balance loyalty with the clear evidence of a performance gap.
The Path Forward
The Eagles are in a win-now window. Every decision must be geared toward maximizing their Super Bowl potential. Continuing to start a significantly underperforming player, regardless of his salary, contradicts that goal. Mukuba has demonstrated he is a dynamic playmaker. His emergence gives the Eagles a chance to upgrade a key position without spending a dime on new assets.
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This isn’t just about one player’s contract. It’s about asset management and putting the best eleven on the field. The Eagles have a history of making tough, shrewd decisions. Letting the rookie shine isn’t just a storyline; it’s a strategic necessity. Meanwhile, the money spent on Blankenship may seem like a sunk cost now, but the season is still full of promise.