The Eagles' Safety Net: Who Stays, Who Goes? Over the past few weeks, we've been dissecting the Philadelphia Eagles' roster, position by position, to determine which players will likely be back in 2026. Today, we're focusing on the safeties, a crucial position that can make or break a team's defense. But here's where it gets controversial... Will Reed Blankenship, Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, and Sydney Brown be part of the Eagles' safety net in 2026? Let's take a closer look at each player and their potential futures with the team. Reed Blankenship: A Home Run Signing or a Free Agent? Blankenship had a solid 2024 season, racking up 308 tackles and 9 interceptions. However, his 2025 season was up and down, with a notable performance dip in the playoff loss to the 49ers. Despite this, he's an undrafted player who has been a full-time starter for the last three seasons. With only one year left on his contract, Blankenship is a free agent in March. If he can secure a deal in the $10 million per year range, he's likely to leave. However, if he doesn't attract that kind of offer, he could return to the team on a more reasonable deal. Andrew Mukuba: A Starter in the Making? Mukuba, selected in the second round of the 2025 draft, won a starting safety job despite missing time during training camp due to injuries. During his rookie season, he compiled 46 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 3 pass breakups. While Mukuba had an up-and-down season, he was beginning to earn Vic Fangio's trust before suffering a broken fibula in Week 12. If he can stay on the field and prove himself, he'll likely be a starter in 2026. Marcus Epps: A Solid Backup? Epps, released by the Patriots before the start of the season, was scooped up by the Eagles. He played in 12 games, missing four due to an undisclosed injury. Despite not providing much in the way of splash plays, he's a solid backup at this stage of his career. The Eagles will likely be interested in bringing him back, but they shouldn't settle on him as a starter if they lose Blankenship. Sydney Brown: A Work in Progress? Brown, a very athletic player, has had a role as a core special teamer. However, he lacks recognition skills and plays out of control, which is a bad combination. If Brown hasn't figured out how to play in Vic Fangio's defense by now, it's unlikely he'll do so in 2026. The Eagles might be open to trading him for another player on their rookie contract who can compete for a role in the regular offense or defense. Stay or Go: The Verdict Here's the breakdown of the Eagles' safeties: - Stay: Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Sydney Brown - Go: Reed Blankenship But here's where it gets controversial... Who do you think should stay and who should go? Let us know in the comments!
