TAMPA (AP) – The big contract Michael Clayton signed three months ago isn’t the only reason the sixth-year pro is excited to still be wearing the uniform of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

An underachiever who fell out of favor with former coach Jon Gruden, the wide receiver anticipates playing a significant role in a system being installed by incoming offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski.

Judging by the smile he’s sporting these days, he’ll be a much bigger part of what the Bucs do.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity. I couldn’t have asked for a better deal,” said Clayton, who agreed to a five-year contract worth nearly $26 million in March, remaining with the Bucs after being on the verge of signing with the Seattle Seahawks.

“It seems like yesterday. I remember the feeling of getting on that plane headed to Seattle and wondering how I was going to explain to my wife that we weren’t going to be in Tampa any more. … I’m just glad things worked out the way they did.”

The former No. 1 draft pick flourished as a rookie, with 80 receptions for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns – all records for a first-year player in Tampa Bay. His production declined sharply after 2004, though, and he has only scored two TDs since his first year.

Injuries were a factor, but so was Gruden losing confidence in the 26-year-old, who dropped passes in key situations and struggled to keep his starting job.

Clayton welcomes the chance for a fresh beginning under new coach Raheem Morris, a Gruden assistant who replaced his boss after Tampa Bay lost four in a row following a 9-3 start to miss the playoffs.

Clayton is considered one of the NFL’s best blocking receivers.