Reed Blankenship joined the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State and has played his first two seasons at the NFL’s minimum salary.
Blankenship will be rewarded with a bump in salary next season, thanks to a salary escalator.
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
The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement ensures proven performance escalators for players drafted between rounds three and seven and signed to the typical four-year rookie contracts.
If those players can log snap counts of 35% or better in at least two of their first three seasons in the NFL (or play 35% or more of total snaps during those three years), they qualify for an increased base salary in their fourth year.
Blankenship became a full-time starter with the Eagles in 2023, starting 15 of 17 and playing 973 snaps on defense (81%) and 124 on special teams. James Bradberry was the only defensive player to play more snaps for the Eagles in 2023.
Players eligible for the PPE will see their fourth-year base salary escalate to the season’s lowest restricted free agent (RFA) tender.