Eagles Signing Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay to Contract Extension: Details
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Fans, media, and player personnel alike were all surprised with how the Philadelphia Eagles collapsed to end the 2023 season.
There was little to like about the team dropping six of their final seven games including a blowout Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite those frustrations, the consistent improvement from the Eagles' special teams unit was something most fans could at least appreciate after years of mediocre play.
Due to the impressive turnaround, special teams coordinator Michael Clay has had his contract extended by the team as first reported by NFL Network Friday morning.
Philadelphia's specialty units were ranked 31st in 2022 due to poor tackling and punting. In 2023, the group had improved to be 10th best across the NFL.
Highlighted by a Pro Bowl-caliber season from kicker Jake Elliott (90 percent on field goals) and returner Britain Covey (second in average yards per punt return and led the league in total punt return yards with 417), Philadelphia's unit was among the best in football.
It also showed a reason why head coach Nick Sirianni had stuck with Clay following a poor 2022 season.
“I thought we did a nice job as far as just improving. We had some rocky beginnings in special teams and I thought we did a nice job improving those special teams as the year went along," Sirianni said following the 2022 campaign. "A lot of credit to Coach Clay, obviously a lot of credit to the players that stepped up and made plays to do so."
Clay is the lone coordinator returning to Philly after a tumultuous coaching search for the franchise. The organization parted ways with offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, as well as defensive coordinators Matt Patricia and Sean Desai.
Their replacements (Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore) will now join Clay with contracts going past the 2024 season.
