What does the future hold for the Eagles’ safety position?

Eagles roster outlook: Safety

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl season is over and the 2025 NFL offseason is officially here. We’re continuing our Eagles roster outlook series by examining the safety position. PREVIOUSLY: Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | Wide receiver | Offensive tackle | Offensive guard | Center | Edge rusher | Defensive tackle | Cornerback | Linebacker.

C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON

STATS: 908 defensive snaps, 115 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 12 passes defensed, 6 interceptions, 89.0 passer rating allowed, 1 defensive TD

PLAYOFF STATS: 263 defensive snaps, 14 tackles, 1 TFL, 136.8 passer rating allowed

REVIEW: The Eagles brought CJGJ back to Philly with the idea that he’d invigorate their defense with swagger and play-making ability. He certainly delivered on that front. CJGJ logged six interceptions in 2024, which is the same amount he had with the Eagles in 2022. CJGJ helped the Eagles get to the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons. “BTA.”

OUTLOOK: CJGJ, who turned 27 in December, is under contract through 2026. But he doesn’t have guaranteed money in his deal after 2025. The Eagles could conceivably rework his contract to give him more security.

MY TAKE: Stay.

REED BLANKENSHIP

STATS: 821 defensive snaps, 78 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 4 interceptions, 72.5 passer rating allowed

PLAYOFF STATS: 264 defensive snaps, 27 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 91.7 passer rating allowed

REVIEW: Blankenship rebounded from some struggles in 2023 by logging a career-high four interceptions in 2024. Those picks were high-leverage takeaways, too. In addition to playing well, Blankenship took a step forward as a leader. He’s part of the Eagles’ leadership council (as noted by PHLY’s Zach Berman) and he was recently praised by (former?) team captain Darius Slay.

OUTLOOK: 2025 is currently the last year of Blankenship’s contract. The Eagles should probably sign the 26-year-old to an extension.

MY TAKE: Stay.

TRISTIN MCCOLLUM

STATS: 250 defensive snaps, 33 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 92.7 passer rating allowed

PLAYOFF STATS: 7 defensive snaps, 3 tackles, 158.3 passer rating allowed

REVIEW: After spending 2023 on the practice squad, McCollum entered last offseason as a long shot to make the 2024 regular season roster. He shined during training camp practices and preseason games, however, to make the team. As the top backup safety, McCollum saw some playing time when Blankenship and CJGJ missed snaps at points throughout the season. He had some struggles but he also did make a pretty big fourth down pass breakup in the Eagles’ road win over the Baltimore Ravens.

OUTLOOK: McCollum is currently entering the last year of his contract before he’ll be a restricted free agent next offseason. He won’t be guaranteed a spot on the 2025 roster but he’ll once again compete for a job as a depth safety and special teams contributor.

MY TAKE: Stay.

SYDNEY BROWN

STATS: 79 defensive snaps, 7 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defensed, 1 interception, 0.0 passer rating allowed

PLAYOFF STATS: 6 defensive snaps, 3 tackles

REVIEW: 2024 was basically a lost season for Brown, who didn’t play until Week 7 since he was coming back from an Achilles injury. The 2023 third-round pick mainly contributed on special teams, where he did force a fumble on punt coverage. Brown was ultimately the fifth safety on the depth chart behind CJGJ, Blankenship, McCollum, and Avonte Maddox.

OUTLOOK: In order for Brown to have a chance at defensive playing time in 2025, he’ll need to earn Vic Fangio’s trust. This offseason will be big for him in that regard. Realistically, Brown will be vying for the third safety spot behind starters CJGJ and Blankenship. It’ll be pretty disappointing if he’s not able to at least earn that role.

MY TAKE: Stay.

ANDRE’ SAM

STATS: 0 defensive snaps, 12 special teams snaps, 1 tackle

REVIEW: The Eagles signed Sam as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent the entire season on the practice squad. The Eagles temporarily elevated him for one game to provide help on special teams.

OUTLOOK: Sam is old for a player entering his second season; he turned 26 last month. For context, Blankenship just turned 26 a few days ago. Sam will use this offseason to compete for a spot on the 2025 regular season roster as a depth safety and special teams contributor.

MY TAKE: Go.

LEWIS CINE

REVIEW: The Eagles signed Cine to their roster on January 8 after he spent the regular season on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad. Cine was inactive for all of the Eagles’ playoff games.

OUTLOOK: It’ll be interesting to get a look at Cine in the offseason. The 25-year-old was a first-round pick (No. 32 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft, so, there’s seemingly some potential here. Cine could conceivably be the Eagles’ third or fourth safety in 2025. It’s also possible he won’t be good enough to make the team.

MY TAKE: Stay.

A.J. WOODS

REVIEW: The Eagles signed Woods, a 2024 undrafted rookie free agent, to their practice squad in early September. He signed to the Eagles’ offseason roster after Super Bowl LIX.

OUTLOOK: The Eagles list Woods’ position as “DB” but I probably should’ve included him in our cornerback outlook article since he played CB at Pitt and in the preseason last year. Whoops. In any case, he’s fighting an uphill battle to make the roster and will likely contend for a practice squad spot at best in 2025.

MY TAKE: Go.

NFL FREE AGENCY OR TRADES

The Eagles obviously won’t be adding a sure-fire starter. They could look to add a veteran player for depth purposes.

NFL DRAFT APPROACH

With Blankenship currently set to be a free agent after 2025 and CJGJ having no guaranteed money left in his deal after this coming season, the Eagles should have an eye on the future of the safety position.

Georgia’s Malaki Starks, who is Daniel Jeremiah’s No. 33 ranked prospect, has been linked to the Eagles at No. 32 in the 2025 NFL Draft. I think it’s more likely they add a safety on Day 2 or Day 3.