Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay is staying in Philly after reaching terms on a new contract, a league source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The news on Sunday morning was first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.
Clay, 34, was not under contract for 2026 and interviewed with the Buccaneers last week for their special teams coordinator job. But ultimately Clay is staying with the Eagles on a new deal.
Clay came back to the Eagles in 2021 and has been the Eagles’ special teams coordinator for all five seasons under head coach Nick Sirianni. Clay initially joined the Eagles as defensive quality control coach in 2014 and was then moved to assistant special teams coach in 2015 under his college coach Chip Kelly. He then followed Kelly to San Francisco.
After Kelly was fired by the 49ers after one season, Clay remained on Kyle Shanahan’ staff for the four seasons before getting the special teams coordinator job with the Eagles.
The Eagles’ special teams were a bit up and down this season. But they were very good at covering kicks and punts and punter Braden Mann had a career season. They also got buy-in from key defensive players like Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, who both blocked field goals this season. Meanwhile, Jake Elliott had a rough 2025 and the Eagles did have their struggles early on kick returns.
They ended up finishing 14th in punt return average and 30th in kick return average. It really helped to get Britain Covey back into his role as the primary punt returner.
With Clay back, the big remaining question with the Eagles’ coaching staff is the offensive coordinator job. The Eagles have removed Kevin Patullo from that post and have been interviewing candidates.
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