At a Glance
- Special teams coordinator Michael Clay interviewed virtually with Tampa Bay on Thursday.
- The 34-year-old has led Philadelphia’s special teams since 2021 under head coach Nick Sirianni.
- Philadelphia’s 2024 units finished mid-pack: 14th in punt returns, 30th in kick returns, 16th in punt coverage and 4th in kick coverage.
- Why it matters: A departure would force the Eagles to replace a coach Sirianni has repeatedly praised, potentially reshaping a phase that logged mixed results this season.
The Eagles’ coaching carousel gained speed Thursday when special teams coordinator Michael Clay conducted a virtual interview for the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to an announcement from the Bucs.
The Interview and Its Timing
Tampa Bay revealed Clay’s interview one week after firing their previous special teams coordinator, Thomas McGaughey, who had held the post under head coach Todd Bowles for the past two seasons. The Buccaneers’ search for McGaughey’s successor now includes the Eagles’ incumbent, whose contract remains in place but whose future has become uncertain.
Clay’s Track Record in Philadelphia
Since arriving with Sirianni in 2021, Clay has overseen a special-teams operation that has avoided disasters but rarely dominated games. Highlights include:
- Punter Braden Mann delivering career-best numbers in 2024
- Kicker Jake Elliott experiencing a down year marked by costly misses
- Return games ranking 14th (punt) and 30th (kickoff) league-wide
- Coverage units placing 16th on punts and 4th on kickoffs
The overall production mirrors the broader team narrative: solid enough to keep the Eagles competitive, yet inconsistent enough to prompt outside interest in change.
Coaching Journey from Oregon to the NFL
Clay’s path to Philadelphia began at Oregon, where he played linebacker for Chip Kelly and absorbed the up-tempo philosophy that defined Kelly’s early Eagles tenure. Undrafted in 2013, Clay spent training camp with the Miami Dolphins before Kelly brought him back to the sport as a coach.
Coaching Timeline
| Year | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Defensive quality control | Eagles (Chip Kelly) |
| 2015 | Assistant special teams | Eagles (Dave Fipp) |
| 2016-2020 | Special teams/strength roles | 49ers |
| 2021-present | Special teams coordinator | Eagles |
The cross-country move to San Francisco gave Clay diversified experience under multiple staffs, a résumé line that now appeals to Tampa Bay.
Sirianni’s Endorsement vs. Outside Interest
Head coach Nick Sirianni has consistently praised Clay publicly, citing attention to detail and rapport with players. That endorsement makes the Buccaneers’ outreach noteworthy; teams rarely request interviews for assistants they do not view as legitimate candidates, and virtual interviews have become standard first steps toward formal offers.
What Comes Next for the Eagles
Should Clay depart, Philadelphia would need to:
- Identify an internal or external replacement before April’s off-season program
- Decide whether to promote assistant Tyler Brown, a kicking specialist whose father Randy Brown served on Andy Reid’s staff in 2004-2005
- Balance continuity against the desire to upgrade a phase that produced few explosive plays in 2024
The Eagles have not commented on whether they would block Clay from leaving, a silence that league insiders often interpret as willingness to let the process play out.
Buccaneers Fit and McGaughey Exit
Tampa Bay’s vacancy opened after Thomas McGaughey-a 1996 Eagles practice-squad alumnus-was dismissed following two seasons. The Bucs’ special teams finished in the bottom third of most major categories, prompting Bowles to seek fresh leadership. Clay’s familiarity with NFC schemes and his prior work with varied roster constructions could offer the Buccaneers a stabilizing voice.
Key Takeaways
- Michael Clay‘s virtual interview signals genuine interest from Tampa Bay and places his Philadelphia future in limbo.
- Special-teams rankings reveal a unit neither elite nor poor, leaving room for either retention or change.
- Sirianni’s history of loyalty to assistants clashes with the NFL’s annual coaching shuffle, making Clay’s situation one to monitor through the coming weeks.
