Not long after reports surfaced last week that Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin was headed to the Oakland Raiders, Frank Clark sent out an interesting message via social media.

Y'all think I haven't been workin! The plan been in affect. pic.twitter.com/chkVHOJ7fZ — Frank Clark (@TheRealFrankC_) March 9, 2016

Around this time last year, Clark weighed in at 271 pounds at the scouting combine. He was listed at 272 pounds during the season, and given that the Seahawks asked him to play both inside and outside on the defensive line, it seems unlikely that he played at a weight less than that.

Overall, Clark was on the field for 33.5 percent of the Seahawks' defensive snaps. He had three sacks and flashed on multiple occasions, drawing praise from the coaching staff for his effort and his energy. Clark mostly lined up as an interior pass-rusher in sub packages but did get moved around some.

Back in December, Pete Carroll was asked about the team's plan for Clark as a rookie.

"He was more comfortable outside," Carroll said. "He just felt more comfortable playing outside. It’s where he had his background. That was the hard part, because of that and we were feeling pretty good about Jordan [Hill]. We tried to feature him and also tried to get him in the rotation so he could help Mike [Bennett] out. He’s also been in the rotation to help us out at the LEO spot behind Cliff [Avril]. We’ve done a lot with him so far. We have a lot of information now. I think we’re zeroing in on maybe the best way to use him."

Irvin's role at strong-side linebacker required three things: rushing the passer, setting the edge in the run game and dropping into coverage. Clark should have no issues with the first two. And perhaps he's dropping weight to be better equipped to handle the third part.

When the Seahawks are in nickel, Bennett, Avril and Clark need to be on the field together. But Clark could rush more from the right defensive end spot instead of from the interior in 2016.

The team has been linked to free-agent linebackers like O'Brien Schofield and Shea McClellin, but neither guy has been signed.

Depending on how the roster shapes up, Clark's role and potential to replace Irvin will be a story line to monitor this spring and summer.