On Monday, the Eagles extended safety Reed Blankenship's contract by one year, taking it all the way to 2025.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that Blankenship will receive $3.935 million over the course of two years as a fully guaranteed salary, with further incentives of up to $1.375 million for playing time and Pro Bowl selection. Using their various social media platforms, the Eagles made the announcement.
Due to his undrafted rookie status, Blankenship was able to get a contract extension after only two years. After the upcoming season, Blankenship would have been a restricted free agent, but the Eagles already had ownership of him through 2025. After the 2025 season, he will still be eligible to become a free agent without restrictions.
Despite being undrafted, Blankenship inked a three-year, nearly rookie-minimum deal for approximately $2.57 million, which included a tiny signing bonus of $5,000. With the addition of $923,059 in performance-based pay, Blankenship's basic salary for 2023 increased from $870,000 to $925,000.
After filling in for an injured Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in the Eagles' 2022 season, rookie Blankenship had a strong showing in four starts. On his ninth defensive snap of his career, he created history by intercepting Aaron Rodgers; no other undrafted rookie has ever done so.
Blankenship was promoted to starting quarterback last season as Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps were both set to leave as free agents following 2022. Three interceptions were his team-high, making him the most by an undrafted Eagle since 2010's Dimitri Patterson and Quintell Mikell, respectively, had four and three.
It would be surprising if the Eagles didn't sign or pick a player to compete with him this summer, as he and Gardner-Johnson are projected to start together in 2024. However, he had a weak second half of the season, as did most Eagles.
In his first 25 games as an Eagle, Blankenship became the first player since linebacker Jordan Hicks had seven in 2015 and 2016 to have four interceptions; he turned 25 in early March. Cornerback Brenard Wilson got eight interceptions in 1979 and 1980, making him the last undrafted Eagle to do so in his first twenty-five games on the field.
In addition to Blankenship, CJGJ, and Corners James Bradberry and Darius Slay, the Eagles have rookies Eli Ricks, Kelee Ringo, and Sydney Brown contracted through 2025.
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