Getty ImagesWhen the Browns begin the latest rebuild, they’re going to have to shop for a new cornerstone in the middle of their offense.
According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports, center Alex Mack has decided to void the final three years of his contract, which will make him an unrestricted free agent.
He’s still considering a return to Cleveland, but getting a look at the open market will make that return much less feasible.
Two years ago, he signed a transition tag offer sheet with the Jaguars, but the Browns matched to keep him there for the short term.
Surprise, the Jaguars are still looking for an answer at center, and have room to go shopping next week even if their General Manager disputes the notion it’s going to be a spree.
It’s 74 and sunny in Jacksonville today.
Just sayin’.
Escape Cleveland to go to the Jags… What, was San Fran not interested?
I will take him over my Vikings guys Sullivan coming off a major back surgery yeah no confidences there!
Play next to Thomas, Bitonio, and Schwartz and block for Wentz, or go to Jacksonville and, pray tell, do what?
Yeah,
Jags have $70 mil to blow.
This should pretty much be a done deal
DUH!!!!!! This was a hard decision? Good for him. Great player and he will surely land so place nice and get paid. Indont think there will be one post accusing him of being selfish for wanting out. Even by loyal Cleveland fans. Hue Jackson again, is being out into a major FAIL position. Nobody can make that team better in a year or two or five or even ten.
You’re free! Run, Alex. Run!
Jags, Seahawks, and 49ers are going to be in on this.
Bengals trade for pacman.
First Johnny, now Mack. Joe Thomas is next. No one wants to stay in Cleveland. The joke of the NFL.
Hopefully he gets paid and goes to a winner. He deserves it for putting up with that Clown show in Cleveland.
Alex…have you met Tom Brady?
Would be your shot at finally playing in the NFL
Seattle is all over this. Even if Mack signs with the jags then the hawks will target wiznewski
The secret world isn’t so secretive anymore.
Alex, San Diego Chargers are on line one.
Vottorific, in order to trade a player you need to have them under contract. Jones is a free agent as of the 9th and after voiding his contract Mack is a free agent right now.
He’s coming back to Cleveland. Bookmark it.
Hes smart enough not to take a STEP DOWN from Cleveland and go to Santa Clara. 49ers are more of a joke than the Browns.
“seatownballers says:
Mar 2, 2016 1:02 PM
Seattle is all over this. Even if Mack signs with the jags then the hawks will target wiznewski”
Take him. Wisniewski is terrible.
They’re going to lose Schwartz too….Hue’s first year in Cleveland should be interesting. He’s going to have a rookie QB with a patch-work o-line…fun times ahead.
They better do whatever they need to, to keep him in Cleveland. He is the most valuable player on that line next to Joe Thomas
No offense to the good Cleveland fans…
But noplayer in their right mind would want to spend there final shot a winning playing for that organization right now.
The money is going to be the same for Alex noatter whwere he goes.
Mack is good, but overrated.
He just made an offer on a house in Zionsville, just north of Indianapolis.
Mack and Incognito on the same team with a decker running back ? Would be epic yardage. Epic.
If I was going to bet it’s going to be Jacksonville or Atlanta.
Not decker. Hate spell auto check. Was supposed to be “good ” running back. Sorry
Players so infrequently do players have any negotiating options. Mack can now negotiate more guaranteed money whether in Jacksonville, Cleveland, or anywhere else.
Wasn’t Cameron Erving drafted by the Browns? Isn’t his true position at Center?
With all the hype with Wentz. i feel as though someone is will entice titans for a trade and i dont think it will be the browns
95ycross says:
Mar 2, 2016 12:55 PM
Play next to Thomas, Bitonio, and Schwartz and block for Wentz, or go to Jacksonville and, pray tell, do what?
I don’t know where he is going but I would bet it’s going to be a hell of a lot better the. Cleveland. More power to him.
With Jacksonville, Mack has a chance.
Does this guy have anything substantial left or is he just a guy now? He’s 2 years and a broken leg older than when the Jags tried to steal him last time.
I see Buyer Beware written all over him.
mistrezzrachael says:
Mar 2, 2016 1:01 PM
Alex…have you met Tom Brady?
Would be your shot at finally playing in the NFL
====================================
If he’s looking to make a killing in free agency, no thanks. Let some other team overpay for free agents. It makes no sense to pay centers $10 million a year. It’s obscene and a poor use of salary cap resources.
Cleveland Browns=Hot Garbage
AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ
I hope he comes here, but I can easily see him signing in Seattle or AZ. He’s gotta be sick of the losing culture. My bet is AZ or Seattle
Seattle is all over this. Even if Mack signs with the jags then the hawks will target wiznewski
_________________________________
My thoughts exactly.
He will go wherever they offer him the most money. He isn’t going to meet Mr. Lombardi with any of the teams that have the cap space to sign him.
Actually, smart thinking on his side. Every player should negotiate an opt out clause because you know they will be cut if they under perform. Go make another payday!
Eric Wood is a nice guy but the bills need to upgrade center badly. Here’s your answer. Having two dominant players on offense and defense over the football is how you build your “bully.” You have dareus, go get mack.
this is his chance to show what he wants more.. a BIG payday or a championship. teams with alot of cap space aren’t contenders. regardless he’s out of cleveland.
Wow, shocked Mack had a void option. I didn’t know players had that option.
Cmon down to Miami & bring Thomas with you!!!
Not too many Centers in this league I would take over Mack. You hate to see Hue dealing with an exodus before he coaches a game, but based on the circus in Cleveland over the last several years, he probably won’t be the last one to try and jump. Cleveland has a ton of cap space too, so they might make it worth it to him to come back. They have about $50M in space.
I think at 29, he can get a 5 or 6 year deal for big money and close out his career with generational security.
Denver has offensive line needs, and they are the World Champs!
How is that for motivation?
Come to New England.
New offensive line coach who will use you to the best of your ability.
Win a ring with the best.
drlightning says:
Mar 2, 2016 12:59 PM
Jags, Seahawks, and 49ers are going to be in on this.
—-
Don’t forget AZ. They didn’t want Sendlein back, but it was clear in the preseason they needed him back. But they want to move on. Maybe this way, maybe another, but the need is there.
If the Browns do lose him, maybe Cameron Irving can play center since he was one in college.
elevandoo says:
Mar 2, 2016 1:47 PM
Eric Wood is a nice guy but the bills need to upgrade center badly. Here’s your answer. Having two dominant players on offense and defense over the football is how you build your “bully.” You have dareus, go get mack.
=====================
Buffalo is right up against the cap, they will be lucky if they can afford to pay their incoming rookies, let alone $11+ million to Mack
Philly could use an upgrade at center
Mack would look good in Eagles midnight green…
Falcons!
LA Chargers, are you listening?
You have the crappiest OL in the NFL (and CFL). You need to throw all of your FA money at this guy.
Hue Jackson – welcome to the Cleveland Browns.
Smarter people than me are on this board so correct me if I’m wrong but I believe that the Jaguars wrote in the opt-out clause after two years in the contract that Cleveland matched 2 years ago.
Players don’t have an opt-out right, per se, this was a wrinkle added by the Jags and Cleveland had to match it to retain him under the guidelines of the transitional tag.
It looks like Mack will end up with the Jaguars… they are about at the end stage of their rebuild… a few more pieces and they will be golden. A Center, another big WR, a DL and a good Cornerback. Look for the Jags in the playoffs this season because they’ll be there.
EJ says:
Mar 2, 2016 3:48 PM
It looks like Mack will end up with the Jaguars… they are about at the end stage of their rebuild… a few more pieces and they will be golden. A Center, another big WR, a DL and a good Cornerback. Look for the Jags in the playoffs this season because they’ll be there.
==================================
I think he stays. Cleveland is only a few pieces away too. They just need a QB, RB, 2 WR, LB, Owner, DE, DT, K….
the Browns can lose 10 plus for the 8th time in 9 years with or without Mack..
kudos to Mack for wanting out of that cesspool…get lost , end up on the west side and your game is over…what a hell hole that dump is
I would think that Steve Keim will make a phone call… The Cards need an upgrade at center…
If the Chargers were smart, they’d go after him because they are in NEED of a center ever since Hardwick left. Telesco, better do something.
(i/) cakesw says:
Mar 2, 2016 1:13 PM
No offense to the good Cleveland fans…
But noplayer in their right mind would want to spend there final shot a winning playing for that organization right now.
The money is going to be the same for Alex noatter whwere he goes. (i/)
That worked for Phil Dawson too.
Mack is smart voiding it today. Gives him a full week to see what his market is.
For the people wanting him in Buffalo? Being think so. They are scraping pennies to lay their LG. They let him walk they are in deep doo doo. If they can’t afford that they most certainly could not afford Mack and Wood.
iamkillerfin says:
Mar 2, 2016 1:57 PM
Cmon down to Miami & bring Thomas with you!!!
LaBron is already here (again) waiting to work out.
This is Mack’s last opening to maximize his worth, a smart move. However, I say he goes back to the Browns and give them a chance to match his best offer. I believe they do, and he resigns.