Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles' Reed Blankenship thought he was victim of April Fool’s prank

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/2/24

Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship had quite the funny reaction upon learning on Monday he was getting an extra $923,059 in performance-based pay following his contributions during the 2023 NFL season.

"Funny story," Blankenship said on Tuesday, as shared by Bob Brookover of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "My agent actually texted me the (bonus) chart, and it was on April (Fool’s Day), so I was like, 'You’ve got to be kidding me? This is a joke.'"

Former Ravens and current Jets guard John Simpson led all NFL players last season by receiving an extra $974,613 in performance-based pay. The top earners that were announced today: pic.twitter.com/5AIyTKqR9R
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 1, 2024

Blankenship went unselected during the 2022 NFL Draft but ultimately made four starts and appeared in 10 regular-season games for the Eagles as a rookie. He then became a lineup mainstay who started 15 contests this past season before he was sidelined with a groin injury that kept him out of Philadelphia's 32-9 wild-card playoff loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Unfortunately I had to have surgery," Blankenship explained about the setback. "It was one of those personal decisions whether or not to do it and I felt like that was the best decision possible. Right now I feel great. I’m pretty much 100 percent back to normal. It felt good not being sore like this past season and dealing with it. I’m really excited to show what I can do."

According to ESPN stats, Blankenship led the Eagles this past season with 79 solo tackles, 113 total tackles and three interceptions. He also notched a fumble recovery.

Per Brookover, the Eagles rewarded Blankenship on Monday with an extension that runs through the 2025 season. That deal guarantees the 25-year-old roughly $4M over the next two campaigns.

"I want to be in Philly and I want to play for Philly," Blankenship said about the club's commitment to him. "That speaks more than just getting the contract. I love these fans and how they cheer for us and how they critique us. I love playing here and I want to play here as long as I can."

As shared by ESPN, Blankenship had been scheduled to become a restricted free agent next offseason before he inked his extension that proved to be no joke.

More must-reads: