Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship’s bank account has had quite a week.

On Monday, the Eagles announced they had signed the former West Limestone High School standout to a contract extension. Blankenship’s new deal was reported as containing a guaranteed $3.935 million over the next two seasons with another $1.375 million available in incentive bonuses.

The contract news came shortly after the NFL announced its top earners in its performance-based pay program, which is a supplemental compensation plan that compares playing time and salary. Players who play more but make less benefit the most from the program.

For the 2023 season, only one NFL player received a bigger performance-based pay bonus than Blankenship, who got $923,059. That was more than Blankenship’s salary from the Eagles for the season, which was $870,000.

“It’s a funny story,” Blankenship said. “My agent actually texted me the (performance-based pay) chart, and it was on April 1, so I was like, ‘You got to be kidding me, right? Like this is a joke.’

“But I’m just fortunate enough that I was put in a position to play. I’m not going to give that up for anything. I’m going to try to play my heart out as much as I can, as long as my body can take it.”

Blankenship joined Philadelphia in 2022 as an undrafted rookie. After signing a three-year contract with the Eagles that included $55,000 in guaranteed money, Blankenship made the regular-season roster, played in 10 regular-season and three playoff games (including Super Bowl LVII) and started five times as a rookie.

“I still feel like I have that chip on my shoulder,” Blankenship said on Tuesday. “Even this contract extension, it’s a stepping stone. This is something that I want to grow in. I want to learn from the best and play with the best, and that’s what I want to try to do each day.”

After recording 291 defensive snaps and 90 special-teams plays in 2022, Blankenship had 943 defensive snaps and 124 special-teams plays as a starter in Philadelphia’s secondary in 2023.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Blankenship said, “for the most part for (Eagles general manager) Howie (Roseman) and them to get it done. I want to be in Philly; I want to play for Philly. That speaks more than just getting a contract. I love football. I love the way these fans, how they cheer for us and how they critique us. I love playing here. I want to play here for as long as I can. …

“It’s about growth. I still have a long way to go, and I’m fortunate enough to still have some of these great teammates to teach me, and some of these great coaches. I want to take that opportunity and run with it. I’m so excited to be back.”

Blankenship led Philadelphia with 113 tackles, 79 solo tackles and three interceptions in 2023 even though he dealt with a groin injury late in the season that caused him to miss the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC playoffs.

“Unfortunately, I had to have surgery,” Blankenship said. “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, and it feels good now not being as sore anymore like I did this past season dealing with it. I’m ready to go. I’m really excited to show what I can do.”

Blankenship will work with a new defensive coordinator in 2024 – at least, new to the Eagles. Vic Fangio has been an NFL defensive coordinator in 20 seasons and the head coach of the Denver Broncos for three seasons.

“I feel like he’s one of those old-school guys that he wants his players to be nitty-gritty and play football for what it means,” Blankenship said. “He understands coming here to Philly, he’s going to have those players, and we’re all excited to get this going.”

At West Limestone High School, Blankenship earned All-State recognition in his final two seasons and won the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 4A Back of the Year Award in 2016. Blankenship completed his prep career with 3,192 rushing yards, 1,056 passing yards, 1,004 receiving yards, 46 touchdowns, 295 tackles and 10 interceptions. He also played on the Wildcats’ AHSAA Class 4A boys’ basketball championship team as a sophomore.

At Middle Tennessee, Blankenship settled in at safety. As a five-year starter, he became the Blue Raiders’ all-time tackles leader.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.