Eagles' Reed Blankenship sends message on Day 1 of training camp. Now it’s Philly's move

Aside from linebacker Nakobe Dean being placed on the PUP list (physically unable to perform) as he continues to work his way back from January’s postseason-ending knee injury, Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman announced full attendance for his team as players took to the practice field for Day 1 of training camp on Wednesday morning.

That means the Eagles once again avoided any contract holdouts, which is notable when you consider safety Reed Blankenship’s situation.

Philly’s starting safety — and now longest tenured defensive back — has considerable leverage over the team with the 2025 NFL season now officially underway. He played a career-high 1,084 defensive snaps last season, and with running mate C.J. Gardner-Johnson now in Houston via trade, Philly’s depth chart at safety entering training camp is extremely unsettled.

Blankenship will lead a group that includes rookie Andrew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, Lewis Cine and undrafted rookie Andre’ Sam. Outside of Blankenship and Mukuba, who the Eagles drafted in the second round this year, all of those guys should be considered “bubble players” as potential cut or trade candidates.

MORE: Eagles’ Reed Blankenship gets troubling $36 million contract update with current deal set to expire

Twenty players at the safety position earn at least $8.5 million per year entering this 2025 season. Blankenship is set to earn $1.475 million in the final year of his original rookie extension. He’s done well for himself after going undrafted in 2022, but there’s no world in which Blankenship should enter this 2025 season without a multi-year extension in place to pay him at least market value, or around $12 million on average.

Blankenship is the embodiment of Fly Eagles Fly, an overlooked player coming out of college who’s developed into a dependable starter and now Super Bowl champion. That he was present and ready to roll for the first practice of training camp further shows what he’s all about and sends a clear mesaage.

It also gives the Eagles even more reason to do right by one of their most underrated veterans on defense before Week 1 of the 2025 season.

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