Safety Reed Blankenship agrees to three-year deal with Texans

Blankenship was an undrafted free agent who became a four-year starter for the Eagles

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Former Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship has agreed to a three-year, $24.75 million contract with the Houston Texans. Blankenship, an undrafted free agent, rose from an undrafted rookie to a four-year starter with the Eagles, where he was a team captain in 2025. He is leaving Philadelphia to join a Texans defense that ranked number one in the league last season.

Why it matters

Blankenship's move from the Eagles to the Texans represents a significant contract for an undrafted free agent who developed into a reliable starter in the NFL. His departure also highlights the Eagles' strategy of drafting younger talent and managing their salary cap, as they look to the future with players like Drew Mukuba.

The details

Blankenship, 27, totaled nine interceptions in his four seasons with the Eagles. He had a career-high four interceptions in 2024, when he played alongside C.J. Gardner-Johnson on an Eagles defense that won the Super Bowl. Blankenship was a free safety who excelled in coverage, also recording three tackles for loss. His strong play came at a bargain for the Eagles, as he never cost the team more than $1.8 million against the salary cap.

  • Blankenship agreed to the three-year, $24.75 million deal with the Texans on March 9, 2026.
  • Blankenship was a four-year starter for the Eagles from 2022 to 2025.

The players

Reed Blankenship

A 27-year-old safety who was an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State and became a four-year starter for the Philadelphia Eagles, earning a team captain role in 2025.

Houston Texans

An NFL team that had the league's top-ranked defense in the 2025 season and has now signed Blankenship to a three-year, $24.75 million contract.

Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL team that Blankenship played for from 2022 to 2025, where he developed into a reliable starting safety on a defense that won the Super Bowl in 2024.

Drew Mukuba

A defensive back drafted by the Eagles in the 2025 second round, who is part of the team's strategy to add younger talent to their secondary after Blankenship's departure.

Michael Carter II

An Eagles defensive back who had his contract restructured on Monday, as the team manages its salary cap in the wake of Blankenship's departure.

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What they’re saying

“Blankenship was the stable safety in an Eagles secondary that shape-shifted nearly every year.”

— Brooks Kubena, Author (nytimes.com)

“Blankenship, a free safety, totaled three tackles for loss while mostly hovering in coverage. He thrived upon defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's 2024 arrival.”

— Brooks Kubena, Author (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The Texans will look to integrate Blankenship into their top-ranked defense as they aim to build on their success from the 2025 season.

The takeaway

Blankenship's journey from undrafted free agent to reliable NFL starter is a testament to his hard work and development, and his move to the Texans represents a significant payday for an unheralded player who carved out a role in the league.