A former Seahawk could be on the chopping block, and he would be an intriguing option for Seattle if the Oakland Raiders do indeed cut him.

No, we're not talking about a reunion with Marshawn Lynch, even though he's among a handful of high-priced Raiders veterans who might become salary-cap casualties under new coach Jon Gruden.

While Lynch is arguably the greatest running back in franchise history, it's hard to imagine the Seahawks wanting to go down Beast Mode Road again given how difficult that relationship became to manage by the end of his time with Seattle. And it might not even interest Lynch, who came out of retirement last year only to play for his hometown team.

Bruce Irvin, third from left (51), could fill several needs for the Seahawks -- especially with the pass rush -- should he be released by the Raiders this offseason. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

The ex-Seahawk in question is Bruce Irvin, the former first-round pick by Seattle who has spent the past two seasons in Oakland. The fit would be a good one on a few levels, starting with where it matters most -- on the field.

Over his final three seasons with the Seahawks, Irvin was their starting strongside linebacker in base packages, then would put his hand on the ground to rush off the edge in passing situations. Both are areas of need for Seattle.

Michael Wilhoite and Terence Garvin, who split time at strongside linebacker in 2017, are unrestricted free agents after playing on one-year deals. Cliff Avril might never play football again because of a career-threatening neck injury, and Michael Bennett, Seattle's other starting defensive end, is not assured of being back next season. Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson is another free agent, while Malik McDowell, who suffered a severe head injury that prompted Seattle's trade for Richardson last offseason, might again be unavailable.

As it was, the Seahawks' pass rush left something to be desired last season when it ranked tied for 13th in sacks with 39 and generated pressure on 27.9 percent of opposing quarterbacks' dropbacks, which was 18th, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Both of those figures represented slight drop-offs from 2016, so upgrading the pass rush figures to be an offseason priority for Seattle, even if Bennett and/or Richardson are back.

Irvin, 30, produced 15 sacks and 10 forced fumbles and didn't miss a game over his two seasons with the Raiders. But that might not be enough to keep Oakland from releasing him, a possibility that Irvin referenced on Twitter last week.

As noted by ESPN Raiders reporter Paul Gutierrez, the four-year, $37 million contract Irvin signed in 2016 calls for him to count $8.25 million against the cap next season. It's structured in such a way that the Raiders would incur no dead money by cutting Irvin, meaning they'd save the entire $8.25 million. So there's some financial incentive for Oakland to move on.

Under this scenario, there would be another benefit to Seattle bringing Irvin back as opposed to signing a free agent who just played out his contract: A player who was released by his most recent team -- known as a street free agent -- doesn't count against a new team's compensatory pick formula. So if Irvin were to be released, Seattle could sign him without sacrificing a 2019 comp pick, which would no doubt appeal to Seahawks general manager John Schneider, assuming the price is right. Seattle doesn't have much cap space to work with -- about $14 million as it stands now -- but Irvin could give them value, since he'd be filling two needs.

Irvin didn't quite live up to the hype that accompanied his arrival as the 15th overall pick in 2012, and whatever led to a four-game PED suspension in 2013 was among a few regrettable moves on his part during his time in Seattle.

But Irvin mixed solid play with occasionally spectacular play in Seattle. There was a pick-six against Oakland in 2014 when he dropped into coverage, tipped a Derek Carr pass to himself, then raced 35 yards to the end zone. His first career interception also came in impressive fashion when he ran down the sideline with Rams tight end Jared Cook and picked off an overthrown pass with his arms outstretched, an adept play in what was only his fourth game as a linebacker. Irvin set the Seahawks' rookie sack record with eight in 2012, when he was only a situational edge-rusher, and finished with 22 over his four seasons with them.

He was clearly miffed in 2015 when the Seahawks declined to pick up his fifth-year option, which precipitated his departure to Oakland the following offseason. But if there are any lingering hard feelings, it's probably nothing the presence of Ken Norton Jr. -- not to mention a few million bucks -- couldn't ease.

Norton was Irvin's position coach in Seattle starting in 2013, when he moved from defensive end to linebacker, and his defensive coordinator for parts of his two seasons in Oakland. Irvin was outspoken against the Raiders' firing Norton last November and had spoken glowingly of him before that. Norton returned to the Seahawks in January to become their defensive coordinator.

“He’s a great guy, one of the main reasons that I decided to get here,” Irvin told Bay Area reporters after signing with the Raiders. “I wanted to get back with him. Like I said before, that guy, he’s done a lot for me, not only on the field, but off the field. He saved my career by bringing me from defensive end to a linebacker, so I have the utmost respect for that guy.”

It goes beyond respect, to read what Irvin said recently.

“I look at you not only as a coach but as a friend, as a father, as an uncle, as a stepdad -- as everything,” Irvin told Norton last month, according to The Mercury News. “I just thank God for bringing us together. This is forever, man. I love you.”

The two were on stage at a charity gala in San Francisco -- the Coaching Corps Game Changer Awards -- in which star athletes from the Bay Area paid tribute to their biggest influences. This came two months after the Raiders fired Norton.

If the Raiders cut Irvin, another reunion between those two would make all sorts of sense.