Getty
Reed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles visits SiriusXM on Radio Row at Super Bowl LX.
The Houston Texans took a break after their roster activity earlier in the day during the legal free agency tampering period, when they re-signed Ed Ingram and Sheldon Rankins, but came back later to add outside help in veteran defensive back Reed Blankenship.
Blankenship, a four-year veteran, could be a key to stabilizing the lone hole the Texans have had on their otherwise stellar defense.
Moreover, the former Philadelphia Eagles star brings a Super Bowl-winning pedigree.
Texans Agree to Contract With Eagles’ Reed Blankenship
“The #Texans have agreed to terms with former #Eagles S Reed Blankenship, source said,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on X on March 9. “It’s a three-year, $24.75 million deal with $16.5 million guaranteed in a deal done by Kyle McCarthy at @AthletesFirst.”
Blakenship, who turned 27 on March 2, was on a one-year, $3.7 million contract with the Eagles. He broke into the league with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
He recorded 83 total tackles, four pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 1 recovery during the 2025 regular season, starting 16 games. Blankenship started 50 of the 56 games that he played for the Eagles. That includes all 46 of his appearances over the past three seasons.
Blankenship has 308 total tackles, 9 INTs, 3 recoveries, and 1 forced fumble in his career.
Reed Blankenship Gets Paid in Free Agency
Spotrac projected Blankenship’s market value at $7.2 million annually and a two-year, $14.4 million pact as an example of what he could receive.
Blankenship beats that projection with his Texans deal. However, the Texans could also argue that they are landing Blankenship at a bargain value. He ranked 90th overall and ninth among safeties in The Athletic’s free agency rankings.
They projected a four-year, $42 million agreement.
“Blankenship had seven interceptions over two seasons from 2023 to ‘24, and he won a Super Bowl as a starting safety in 2024,” The Athletic’s Daniel Popper wrote in February.
“He took a step back in a contract year in 2025. His eyes were inconsistent, and he lacked agility in tighter coverage. Part of that could have been related to the unsettled spot next to him at safety. Rookie second-round pick Andrew Mukuba fractured his ankle in Week 12 and missed the rest of the season. The Eagles tried multiple starters next to Blankenship.”
Fittingly, Blankenship gets a raise with the Texans.
Houston, in turn, is getting a reliable option for the problematic other safety spot on the back of their defense.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
More Heavy on Texans
Loading more stories
