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
GettyReed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after making a tackle against the Buffalo Bills.
“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.
Texans Cycled Through Safties in 2025
GettyCalen Bullock #21 of the Houston Texans celebrates after an interception against the Detroit Lions.
The Texans cycled through multiple safeties last season, including Blankenship’s Super Bowl teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Houston acquired Gardner-Johnson in a trade with the Eagles during the 2024 offseason.
The Texans can only hope this works out better on the field than Gardner-Johnson. He joins fellow safety Calen Bullock in a group that includes nickelback Jalen Pitre and corners Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter.
The Texans have now made significant investments into two of their three standout incumbent defensive backs, and they added Blankenship to that mix.
It begs the question of what comes next for Bullock and Lassiter.
Both players are 2024 draft picks, and they have arguably already outplayed their current deals in short order. The Texans will be hard-pressed to keep the group intact, though teams often find creative ways to afford the players they truly want to keep in-house.
Reed Blankenship Gets Paid in Free Agency
GettyReed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles signals against the New Orleans Saints.
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.
Texans Add Super Bowl Champion in Free Agency Roster Update