The Browns are working to restructure the contract of Pro Bowl center Alex Mack before his March 4 opt-out deadline, ESPN’s Pat McManamon reported Friday.
The report said a restructured deal would give Mack a raise. The Browns in 2014 matched a transition tag offer sheet Mack signed with the Jaguars that included an opt-out clause that would allow Mack to become an unrestricted free agent before the start of the 2016 league year, which is March 9.
McManamon reported that Mack visited recently with Browns coach Hue Jackson, director of football operations Sashi Brown and new offensive line coach Hal Hunter to “see the direction of the Browns.” If Mack returns to the Browns, Jackson would be his fifth head coach since being selected in the first round of the 2009 draft.
Earlier this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Mack is expected to opt out of his current contract but hadn’t closed the door on returning to the Browns.
Mack, a three-time Pro Bowler, is due to make $8 million in 2016 on his current contract.