Reed Blankenship Wants to Play For Philadelphia Eagles 'As Long As He Can' After Signing Extension

Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship made clear the big reason why he wanted to stay with the team that took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent.

Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32). / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

When the Philadelphia Eagles took a chance on Reed Blankenship two years ago as an undrafted free agent, the belief was that the team could allow him to develop into a special teams star over the years.

It hasn't even been three seasons, and Blankenship has blown through that original breakdown. So much so that the organization moved quickly to keep him in Philly for the next few years.

Philadelphia and Blankenship agreed on a contract extension that gave the 25-year-old a near $4 million bonus over the next two seasons and will give him some added incentives should he play a certain amount of snaps overall.

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest reasons why the Middle Tennessee State alum agreed on a single-year extension in the first place is the team, and city he actually plays for.

"I want to be in Philly, I want to play for Philly.," Blankenship said. "That speaks more than just getting a contract. I love the way these fans cheer for us and how they critique us. I want to play here as long as I can."

During the 2023 season, Blankenship led the team in both tackles and interceptions while being in the top three for passes defended. While the defense as a whole struggled down the stretch, Blankenship has been a consistent force on the back-end for the Eagles secondary.

Bringing back a familiar face in C.J. Gardner-Johnson should help as well.

"He’s a baller, he makes all these plays and we need that and we need his attitude too," Blankenship said of Gardner-Johnson signing with the team in free agency.

With Blankenship and Gardner-Johnson returning to the safety role, and with a young player in Sydney Brown coming off ACL surgery, the Eagles have made quick changes to their overall secondary as a whole.