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One of Nick Sirianni's assistants, Michael Clay, addressed his interviews with other NFL teams this offseason.
Special teams coordinator Michael Clay at least considered other opportunities besides Nick Sirianni’s coaching staff with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. Clay interviewed for the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But while speaking to reporters this past week, Clay insisted he wasn’t all that close to departing Philadelphia.
“I wasn’t close to leaving or anything of that nature,” Clay told reporters on May 21. “Going on altogether eight years in this organization, and like Vic [Fangio] said, this is a great organization, and we won a lot of games. Been through a lot of ups and downs.
“So, to see this thing out is always my goal, and the players and coaching staff here is always nice and the familiarity. They’re all great people. It was not close to me to be leaving or anything.”
Shortly after his interview with the Buccaneers, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Eagles signed Clay to a contract extension.
“One of the more coveted ST coaches around, Clay drew significant interest around the league,” wrote Rapoport on X on Jan. 18. “But he elected to remain home.”
The #Eagles and special teams coach Michael Clay have agreed to terms on a new deal for him to return to Philly, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
One of the more coveted ST coaches around, Clay drew significant interest around the league. But he elected to remain home.
The Eagles special teams wasn’t quite as good in 2025. But losing Clay this offseason would have been a blow to Sirianni and his coaching staff.
Clay began his coaching career with the Eagles just a year after his playing days ended in 2013. Under Chip Kelly during 2014, Clay served as defensive quality control coach.
Two years later, Clay followed Kelly to the San Francisco 49ers. Kelly lasted just one season as San Francisco’s head coach, but Clay remained on the 49ers staff for the first four years of the Kyle Shanahan era.
Clay returned to Philadelphia on Sirianni’s first staff in 2021. Had he departed this offseason, the Eagles would have had two coordinator openings.
In January, the Eagles parted with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after just one season. Sirianni hired Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion to replace Patullo.
The Eagles also lost longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. Like Clay, Stoutland began coaching in Philadelphia under Kelly.
Clay, though, is back in Philadelphia for his eight season, including sixth consecutive campaign as special teams coordinator.
In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers hired Danny Smith as their new special teams coordinator. Smith was looking for a new job after Mike Tomlin resigned as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach.
The Eagles special teams coordinator had an interesting start to the 2026 offseason. While he did interview with the Buccaneers, that might have been out of need more than anything.
Technically, Clay’s contract expired in Philadelphia. So naturally, the special teams coordinator began looking for a new gig.
It was only after his Buccaneers interview did the Eagles ink Clay to a new contract.
But as Clay retells the story a few months later, the two sides were never far apart from each other.
According to some analytics, Clay’s unit wasn’t quite as elite during 2025. But Philadelphia’s special teams played a vital role in the team’s Super Bowl run the prior campaign.
“Last year, Clay’s unit played a major role in the team’s postseason run to Super Bowl LIX victory,” wrote USA Today’s Eagles Wire’s Glenn Erby. “Kicker Jake Elliott set a Super Bowl record with 16 kicking points and set franchise records for most points (43), made kicks (23), and field goals (10) during a single postseason.”
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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