The Philadelphia Eagles’ pass defense regressed last season compared to 2022. They ranked 14th in receptions, 13th in targets, 1st in receiving yards, 13th in passing touchdowns, 6th in interceptions, and 13th in passing first downs in 2022 and ranked 31st in receptions, 32nd in targets, 31st in receiving yards, 31st in passing touchdowns, 25th in interceptions, and 32nd in passing first downs in 2023.
The team addressed the safety position by signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson and extending the contract of their starting safety.
The Philadelphia Eagles extended the contract of their starting safety.
Reed Blankenship signed a 3-year, $2.565 million contract with the Eagles during the 2022 offseason. He had one year left on his contract before becoming a restricted free agent in 2025. Both parties agreed to a one-year extension, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
Mike Garafolo goes into detail about his contract on X.
#Eagles S Reed Blankenship’s extension pays him a fully-guaranteed $3.935 million over the next two years, source says. He can earn another $1.375 million via playtime and Pro Bowl escalators:
$375k for 70% playtime
$625k for 80%
$875k for 90%
$500k for Pro Bowl pic.twitter.com/eJcfgPeVjL— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 1, 2024
Reed Blankenship spent the last two seasons with the Eagles.
Blankenship went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the Eagles signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Blankenship made the 53-man roster but was a healthy scratch for six out of the first seven games and also missed Week 15 with a knee injury.
Blankenship’s role expanded when Gardner-Johnson suffered a lacerated kidney in Week 12, allowing him to start four out of the next five games.
Blankenship finished the season playing in 10 games, starting four, and had 34 tackles, one interception, and two pass deflections. He allowed six receptions on 11 targets for 71 yards, one touchdown, and a 66.9 passer rating. He also had 11 tackles, one pass deflection, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in three playoff games.
Blankenship entered his second season as the starting safety. He played in 15 games, starting 15, and had 113 tackles, three interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery. He allowed 42 receptions on 66 targets for 529 yards, six touchdowns, and a 99.9 passer rating. He missed Weeks 2 and 7 with a rib injury and the Wild Card round with a groin injury.
Who will be their starting safeties?
The starting safeties have yet to be determined for next season because the team hasn’t announced where Gardner-Johnson will line up since he can play nickel or safety, there are a few solid safeties available in free agency, and the draft is this month.
If the season started today and Gardner-Johnson plays nickel, their current starters will likely be Sydney Brown and Reed Blankenship.
