After being released by the Broncos earlier this month, Frank Clark returned home to Kansas City to enjoy time with his three young children, waiting for his next opportunity to arise.
Clark heard from other teams over the past couple of weeks, but for various reasons those opportunities didn't feel right. That changed when the Seahawks called this week looking for help at outside linebacker after Uchenna Nwosu suffered a season-ending pectoral injury.
And for Clark, who spent his first four seasons with the Seahawks, who selected him in the second round of the 2015 draft, saying yes to Pete Carroll and John Schneider was an easy decision.
"They gave me a call, and I was ecstatic," Clark said, noting he had talks with the Seahawks in the offseason before signing with Denver. "That was a call I was waiting for. We tried to get things done before the season, but it didn't work out like we wanted. But fortunately for me, we were able to get it done, and that's all that matters."
After recording 13 sacks in 2018, Clark was traded to Kansas City prior to the 2019 draft after having the franchise tag placed on him earlier that offseason. He went on to make three Pro Bowls with the Chiefs, make life-changing money, and played in three Super Bowls, winning two of them, so Clark's time away from Seattle definitely worked out well for him. But despite all of that success in Kansas City, he also held onto the hope that he would someday be back in Seattle.
"Of course, that's always been one of my goals to get back to Seattle at some point in my career," Clark said. "I wanted to be here for the rest of my career. You have dreams growing up as a kid playing sports, man, I want to be one of those guys who plays for one team my whole career. Do that and retire a Seahawk, just one team. Unfortunately, that didn't happen the way I wanted it to happen. You learn life lessons through this stuff. I was able to go off to other places and help those teams do some great things, and you gain experiences with it. I came back Year 9 with fuller experiences, and I'm just ready to help this team take it to another level."
Clark is just the latest player to return to the Seahawks after leaving for business reasons. Bobby Wagner was released by Seattle after the 2021 season, and is back after one year with the Rams. Jarran Reed, one of Clark's closest friends, also re-signed this offseason after two seasons away, having been released after the 2020 for salary cap reasons. Those players, and plenty of others before them ranging from Marshawn Lynch to Bruce Irvin, have found their way back to Seattle, and a big reason is the culture Carroll and Schneider have created within the franchise since taking over in 2010.
"I feel like it's just very special, and it starts up top," Clark said. "It starts with Coach Carroll and the job that he does with his players. He allows you to be you."
Clark added that he joked with Carroll that, at 72, "You're still moving faster than anybody in the building… Yeah, he's still got it."
Clark feels like he's still got it too, and despite a bit of downtime between his last game with the Broncos, he said he'll be ready to play in Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
"I'm very confident, but at the end of the day, my confidence comes from having confidence in my coaches as well," Clark said. "I talked to coach Tuesday, and they were giving me the rundown on everything, and I was like, 'I want to play.' They asked me, 'You want to play this weekend?' and I was like, 'Hell yeah, why wouldn't I?' Football is football at the end of the day. Playbooks change, teams may change, but the calls and the different techniques and the things you need to do to get the job done, that doesn't change as much."
Asked again later if he planned to play, Clark confirmed he did, adding he had a little extra motivation to play in this particular game.
"Hell yeah!" Clark said. "I have to wear the throwbacks. I told coach (Pete Carroll), 'Look coach, I have to wear that green, I've never seen that now. You didn't bring the throwbacks when I was here. You guys were wearing lime green and stuff.' I'm like, 'I have to throw the throwback on.' That's going to look really good on Sunday."
The Seahawks practiced on a sunny afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, October 26, while wearing their highly anticipated throwback gear.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks tackle Jason Peters (70) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Cade Johnson (88) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks offensive coordinator at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Frank Clark (57) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) and wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (92) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas (31) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Bush (0) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Frank Clark (57) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Frank Clark (57) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Frank Clark (57) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Frank Clark (57) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson (30) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson (84) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas (31) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Pete Carroll hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) and nose tackle Matt Gotel (77) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Frank Clark (57) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson (84) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Bush (0) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson (30) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
The offensive line hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) hit the practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
