An Eagles gamble keeps paying off as Reed Blankenship earns an extension

This isn't discussed often, but you can double-check if it is doubtful. Seventh-round selections don't often become stars. The Philadelphia Eagles found one in 2018 (Jordan Mailata). He's the exception, not the rule. Jordan earned an extension in September of 2021, but believe it or not, we may have found a cooler story.

Imagine entering an NFL camp and you weren't even drafted. That's the steep hill that Reed Blankenship would climb. A rookie free agent in 2022, he signed a three-year deal worth about $2.57 million.

Had he not done anything else, he would have already beaten the odds, but he kept pushing. Now, his hard work is paying off, literally.

A gamble has paid off, two times over, as Reed Blankenship signs a one-year extension.

We mentioned the challenges late-rounders face when joining a team with hopes of stardom. No one expects much of them. Teams are just hoping to get lucky by selecting them.

The chances of undrafted rookies shining are even slimmer. Sure, some pan out, but for every Herman Edwards and Hollis Thomas there are hundreds of guys whose names we don't remember.

Reed is looking to become one of the great Eagles. One of four undrafted rookies who eventually made the Eagles' 2022 53-man roster (along with Josh Jobe, Britain Covey. and Josh Sills), he's done some cool stuff already.

His first career interception was snagged off the arm of Aaron Rodgers. Come to think of it, he's the only rookie UDFA to do so. Fast forward to the present, he's earned an extension, albeit a short one. He gets a new lease on life from the team that gambled on him.

The Eagles have announced they're signing Reed to a one-year extension. He'll now wear Eagles green through the 2025 season. Last year, he put a dent in the Pro Bowl voting. Might this year lead to his inclusion? It's too early to tell, but we do know this.

You can't make it if you aren't on the roster. Congrats Reed!

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