The Philadelphia Eagles are ready to kick off the 2025 season setting the tone for what should be an incredible year. No team in the NFC has the talent or established performers that Philly is returning after its 2024 Super Bowl run. Despite this, Nick Sirianni has made it clear there is zero contentment within this group. The head coach is going so far as to not allow his team to be out for the banner being raised to celebrate the championship win.
It is telling of the franchise mindset of not looking at last season's accomplishment but remaining completely focused on defending its position. Adding to this is a notable defender who is entering a contract season. Star safety Reed Blankenship has made an agency change ahead of what is an incredibly important season personally. Blankenship is one of the few key pieces not already under contract beyond this year.
Eagles S Reed Blankenship has officially signed with Athletes First as he enters a contract year in Philadelphia.
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) September 2, 2025
The same agency that also represents Nolan Smith Jr., Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Tanner McKee.
Eagles Star Defender Reed Blankenship Makes Agency Change Ahead of Pivotal Season
Anthony DiBona reported the agency switch that has the safety joining Athletes First. It is a familiar group that already helps a trio of current Eagles in Nolan Smith, Jeremiah Trotter, and Tanner McKee. It is noteworthy that the switch has been made ahead of the season, sending a clear message to the Philly front office. Blankenship understands how vital this year is both for the team as a whole and personally as he looks to cash in on free agency.
With this in mind, the defensive back is a player to keep an incredibly close eye on throughout the season. How much it will cost the Eagles to keep the starting safety is going to be determined by his level of play over the next four months. Something that isn't easy to swallow with Philly already losing key pieces in the secondary.
Already, Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson have found new landing spots, forcing the Eagles into a difficult position. You're attempting to rebuild a secondary that was a huge part of the Super Bowl run. This isn't easily accomplished and is going to require a level of continuity. While the defensive coordinator and pass rushers are in place to make it easier, you still need a level of stability over the next two seasons to develop the needed pieces.
This makes it clear that Blankenship must be paid if his 2025 performance is matching the levels the defender has reached throughout his early career. Changing agencies doesn't change Philly's mindset of what must happen at the end of the season, even amid a difficult cap situation. The Eagles have enough future deals to move money around to create space to re-sign the defender.
Blankenship simply has to continue to play at his current level to give the Eagles a clear reason to pay the safety and refuse to turn the page on yet another important secondary piece. For Philly, it is ideal that this is your biggest question mark heading into the season, with the most important pieces already locked up on new deals, allowing Howie Roseman the ability to sit back and focus on finding ways to defend the title.