When Reed Blankenship departed from the Philadelphia Eagles to sign with the Houston Texans, Philly fans became nervous about how they were going to replace him.
Even with Andrew Mukuba back there, the safety position has all of a sudden become a bigger problem for the Eagles with so many names in free agency being taken off the board. PHLY Eagles reporter EJ Smith has an interesting name that could be Blankenship's replacement.
"A name I’ve heard will be in the mix for the safety spot vacated by Reed Blankenship: Michael Carter II."
Could Michael Carter II succeed at safety for the Eagles?
Carter was brought in midway through the 2025 season in a trade from the New York Jets. He did not play often as he was on the field for 20% of the defensive snaps, racking up 10 tackles in eight games.
Everyone thought he was just a backup nickel for Cooper DeJean and someone who gives them depth at the corner position. One interesting comment Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made after they traded for Carter was that they looked at him as depth at the safety position.
This might be where that move pays off for the Eagles, as Carter could step in for 2026 and start at safety. It all makes sense now why Philly kept him on the roster and worked with him to restructure his contract to save the team money against the cap, instead of cutting him and saving $8.7 million.
More than likely, the Eagles still look in free agency or the draft to add one or two safeties to compete, but Carter going in as a safety actually makes sense. Jets fans warned Eagles fans that Carter was not as great in coverage since he signed a contract extension, but he can still play. With him being a solid tackler, it could be a good fit for him at safety.
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It's a long offseason, and so much can still change, but the Carter mystery of why he is staying on the team makes so much more sense now. Watch for his role to increase on the Eagles in 2026.