Eagles STC Michael Clay has an expiring contract and was allowed to interview with Tampa Bay, and indication that the Eagles may be looking at a change.
PHILADELPHIA - Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay had a virtual interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the same position on Thursday. We've completed a virtual interview with Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay for our special teams coordinator position.
According to an NFL source, Clay’s contract with the Eagles is set to expire next month, and Philadelphia permitted Clay to speak with the Bucs about what would be a lateral move.While the Eagles could still decide to bring Clay back, the decision to allow him to discuss another potential option is an indication that Philadelphia is thinking about making a change. Clay returned to the Eagles as Nick Sirianni’s special teams coordinator in 2021 and has been there every step of way through five consecutive postseason berths, two NFC championships, and a Super Bowl LIX win. Philadelphia’s special teams units were solid in 2025 with punter Braden Mann being the standout with an excellent season.The core coverage group was led by linebackers Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon, tight end Kylen Granson and fullback Cam Latu. Gunners Kelee Ringo and Sydney Brown were also effective while Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis excelled on the field-goal block team.Overall, the Eagles ranked 14th in punt return average and 30th in kick return average. They were 16th covering punts and No. 4 covering kicks. After his initial hire in 2021, Clay received a two-year contract extension following the 2023 season in which Philadelphia ranked in the top 10 in 10 different special teams categories. That year, the Eagles ranked first in special teams DVOA, had the NFL's fifth-highest grade by Pro Football Focus and was 10th in Rick Gosselin's annual composite rankings of special teams performance. Clay's current tenure with the Eagles is his second after he started his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach under Chip Kelly in 2014. He moved over to assistant special teams coach the next season before re-joining Kelly in San Francisco in 2016. Although Kelly was one and done with the 49ers, Clay spent five seasons there before returning to the Eagles. With the Bucs, Clay joins a list of candidates that includes Detroit Lions Assistant Special Teams Coach Jett Modkins, Miami Dolphins Special Teams Coordinator Craig Aukerman, and Baltimore Ravens Assistant Special Teams Coach Anthony Levine Sr. Thomas McGaughey was the Bucs' special teams coordinator the last two years before being fired last week.John McMullen is a veteran reporter who has covered the NFL for over two decades. The current NFL insider for JAKIB Media, John is the former NFL Editor for The Sports Network where his syndicated column was featured in over 200 outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Miami Herald. He was also the national NFL columnist for Today's Pigskin as well as FanRag Sports. McMullen has covered the Eagles on a daily basis since 2016, first for ESPN South Jersey and now for Eagles Today on SI.com's FanNation. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube.com. John is also the host of his own show "Extending the Play" on AM1490 in South Jersey and part of 6ABC.com's live postgame show after every Eagles game. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullenEagles Give Details On Next Offensive Coordinator
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