Former Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack will sign a five-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting. His new deal is apparently in the vicinity of $9 million per year, making him one of the highest paid centers in the league. The first two years of his contract is fully guaranteed with the third year carrying partial guaranteed money. Mack spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Browns.
#Browns C Alex Mack is headed to the #Falcons, source said. The 5-year deal is being finalized.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016
Alex Mack Signs
As expected three time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack has departed Cleveland for, what he hopes, is a less dysfunctional work place. Mack opted out of his contract with the Browns back on March 2nd per a provision written into his deal, allowing him to become a free agent. First reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mack had three years remaining on his contract and was scheduled to earn roughly $24 million over that time. This is only two seasons after Mack was slapped with the transition tag and forced to watch while the Browns matched Jacksonville’s offer, forcing him to remain in Cleveland. Mack would miss all but six games in the 2014 with a broken fibula before returning to Pro Bowl form this past season. He has started in every game of his seven-year career besides the 11 games that he missed in 2014 after suffering the broken fibula.
Alex Mack is a native of Los Angeles, California who played his college football locally at the University of California, Berkeley. While with the Golden Bears he would start 39 consecutive games and win the Morris Trophy in 2007 and 2008. Mack was also the recipient of the 2008 Draddy Trophy, also known as the “academic Heisman.” The 2009 NFL Draft would see Alex Mack selected in the first round, 21st overall, by the Cleveland Browns. He has been selected to 3 Pro Bowls (2010, 2013, 2015) and named a second-team All-Pro (2013) since he entered the league.
Despite being 30 years old already, Mack is still one of the best centers in the league. Unsurprisingly, the market for the interior lineman was strong and he received a well-deserved lucrative contract.
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