The offense for the Philadelphia Eagles has gotten the most attention in the NFL for its struggles, and for good reason.

This is an offensive unit that has been underperforming badly, as it went from being a top-10 unit since 2021 to around the 20th ranking all season. A lack of a passing game and an inconsistent running game have made it difficult for the offense to thrive.

There is another unit on the Eagles that has done just as poorly, if not worse than the offense, which might actually take the pressure off offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Another assistant coach might be on the hot seat entering the offseason: special teams coordinator Michael Clay.

After a hot start, Clay’s unit has struggled late in the season for the Eagles

What a red-hot start for the special teams with two field goal blocks in the Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Rams and a punt blocked in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It has since been a disaster for Clay and his special teams unit.

Remember Tank Bigsby and A.J. Dillon as returners for the Eagles? Bigsby has been great as a running back, but after a couple of muffed catches on kickoff returns against the Rams, he got removed from that. Dillon muffed a kickoff against the New York Giants in Week 6, which made him inactive for every game since then.

We try to forget about Xavier Gipson as a punt returner, but that was a disaster as well. His fumble against the Dallas Cowboys late in the season was part of their comeback victory.

Even the Eagles’ 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders was a perfect example of the disaster that has been the special teams late in the season. Will Shipley had a fumble lost on the opening kickoff of the game. And then there’s Jake Elliott…..

Elliott had two missed field goals in the first half against the Commanders (three if fans counted one of them being called off for a Washington penalty). For the season, he has seven misses and has missed field goals in four of the last five games.

If Eagles fans looked at the special teams stats, they are less than….special. The Eagles average the third-fewest return yards per kickoff return this season, at 23.8, and are tied for the most fumbles with two. They are averaging 11.1 yards per punt return, which is 12th in the NFL, but Elliott’s 70.8% field goal made percentage is the worst in the league.

Really, the only positive and consistent part of the special teams this season has come from punting, which Braden Mann has done well in that department for Philly. The Eagles are fourth in the NFL in average yards per punt with 49.8.

Read more: Eagles’ first Week 17 injury report feature usual names (with a small twist)

Overall, Clay’s unit has not had a great season and he might be in serious trouble with his job as these are numbers not worthy of a Super Bowl contending team. If any coach on the staff needs a strong close to the year, it’s Clay and his special teams unit.