Well, Philadelphia Eagles fans thought it was just the offensive coordinator job they would have to worry about. How about the special teams coordinator role?
NFL insider Mike Garafolo first reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers completed an interview with Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay for the same role. Philly did grant Tampa Bay permission to interview Clay for the job.
Clay has been with the Eagles since 2021 and was previously an assistant on Chip Kelly's staff for two seasons when he was the head coach of Philly. Over the last five years, Clay has led the Eagles' special teams, helping them win the Super Bowl in 2024.
Michael Clay could be one foot out the door to Tampa Bay
Clay has done some great work over the years and has had some really bright moments this season, but some ugly ones for his unit as well. There was a two-game stretch where Clay's special teams unit had three blocks on field goals and punts against the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On the flip side, the kickoff and punt return games had some tough moments with Tank Bigsby, A.J. Dillon, Xavier Gipson, and Will Shipley either having multiple muffed returns or fumbles. The Eagles were ranked 30th in yards per kickoff return with 23.9.
It also didn't help that Jake Elliott was one of the least accurate kickers in the NFL, as the Eagles finished 31st in field goal percentage at 74.1%. Elliot missed seven field goals on the season, the second most of his career behind the 2024 season's eight.
Another bright spot was punter Braden Mann, who had a stellar season punting the ball. Philly was fourth in the NFL in average yards per punt with 49.9, but struggled to get balls placed inside the 20-yard line as the Eagles were tied for 28th in punts pinned inside the 20-yard line with 20.
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This is another situation to monitor to see whether Clay will leave the Eagles and move on, or whether the team will retain him. It appears he's got some options for a change of scenery if he wants to.