Philadelphia Eagles fans knew this moment would come, but it is still sad to see safety Reed Blankenship depart the team and sign elsewhere.
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reported Blankenship is going to sign with the Houston Texans when the new league year kicks off. It is going to be a three-year, $24.75 million contract, with $16.5 million guaranteed.
Blankenship was an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State in 2022 and found playing time quicker than many Eagles fans expected. Since 2023, Blankenship has been a full-time starter, appearing in 56 games with 50 starts and racking up 308 tackles, 23 pass deflections, nine interceptions, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and one forced fumble.
Reed Blankenship officially leaves Eagles for Texans
As much as Eagles fans would have loved Blankenship back on the team, it was expected that he would sign elsewhere. Some people thought it was going to be the other Texas team with the Dallas Cowboys, since his old defensive backs coach, Christian Parker, is the defensive coordinator in Dallas now.
Blankenship has been a solid leader on the defense, but his performance on the field has dipped over the last two years. He has struggled in coverage, and some of that might be on 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba, but the regression has been gradual.
The Eagles are more than likely going to have to look in the NFL Draft to find a young safety in the early rounds as a long-term replacement. One veteran option for the Eagles is safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who has played on the team twice, both times going to the Super Bowl and winning one.
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Blankenship is going to be missed on the Eagles, but his time has come and now Philly searches for his replacement.