Savannah Guthrie & Jenna Bush Hager “Feeling the Heat” as NBC Eyes Kelly Clarkson to Save Today

Daytime anchors Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager are reportedly anxious amid rumors that NBC is courting chatfest success Kelly Clarkson to jump-start Today, sources say.

Guthrie, 53, and Hager, 43, have shared the hot-seat at the morning show since fan favorite Hoda Kotb, 60, quit in January to spend more time with her young daughters. But ratings for Today have slipped 4 percent in comparison to the same time last year.

Sources say that execs are disappointed that some viewers stopped tuning in after Hoda’s exit.

“Savannah and Jenna were given keys to the kingdom,” an insider says. “But they aren’t moving the needle, and you can be sure the network isn’t going to sit idly by.”

Gossip flew about original American Idol champ Clarkson, 43, coming to Today when she recently took a break from her self-named talk show, which is distributed by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios.

“NBC execs feared she was losing interest in continuing after being absent from nearly two weeks of tapings in March,” a network insider shared.

“Ratings for Kelly’s show have been sliding, but NBC still sees her as a hot property and wants to keep her on board — and help Today in the process. They believe she will bring in new viewers — and push ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS Mornings further into their rearview mirror.”

But Kelly’s potential move could step on the toes of fellow Texan Hager, who’s taken over the show’s fourth hour, which is now branded as Today with Jenna & Friends.

The former first daughter has helmed the broadcast with celebrity sidekicks in place of Hoda, including actresses Scarlett Johansson and Eva Longoria. But another source says NBC is hankering for a permanent replacement for Kotb — and Clarkson is their prime candidate.

“There’s real tension on the set right now,” says the source. “Kelly’s a star — people love her — and Savannah’s feeling the heat. She’s still the boss — and Jenna remains her pal — but even she knows that Kelly is coming in strong and she may have to relinquish some of her control over the show.”

However, the insider admits, “Hard news isn’t Kelly’s lane,” and believes that Jenna has more at stake.

“If Kelly moves into that hour, Jenna’s the one who loses the most juice,” the source explains.

“Everyone’s walking on eggshells. A shake-up could be coming — and no one wants to be the one left standing when the music stops.”