Source: Eagles sign special teams coordinator Michael Clay to new contract after interest showed elsewhere

The Eagles signed Micahel Clay to a contract extension Sunday, according to a league source, retaining the special teams coordinator a few days after he interviewed for the same position with another team.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first to report the news.

After spending the last five seasons running special teams for the Eagles, Clay’s contract was set to expire in the near future before the extension. The 34-year-old interviewed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week for the same position after the Eagles granted him permission to explore opportunities elsewhere before the two sides came to an agreement.

The Eagles finished 23rd in special teams EPA last season and were ranked dead last on kickoff returns specifically. The year before, they ranked 29th and 31st, respectively.

Still, the Eagles’ special teams came up with several game-swinging individual plays throughout the regular season. A pair of blocked kicks, the latter of which was returned by Jordan Davis for a touchdown, decided the team’s 33-26 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. Jalen Carter, who finished the season with three blocked kicks, also had a game-deciding blocked PAT in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills. Clay also notably kept the Eagles defense out on the field to successfully defend a fake punt against the Detroit Lions in Week 11, something he credited director of football operations/pro scout Ameena Soliman for helping the coaching staff identify in the lead-up to the game.

A former linebacker at Oregon, Clay started his coaching career with the Eagles as a defensive quality control coach on Chip Kelly’s staff. According to NFL Network, he had “significant interest around the league” before re-signing with the Eagles.