The Cleveland Browns wasted little time in matching the offer-sheet given by the Jacksonville Jaguars to center Alex Mack. As always, ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first with the news.
Well that didn't take long: Browns are matching Jacksonville's offer sheet for C Alex Mack. Cleveland keeps Mack, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 11, 2014
The Jaguars had signed Mack to a five-year $42 million offer-sheet. The deal includes a player option to opt out after collecting $18 million over the first two years. There would be no opportunity for Cleveland to place the franchise tag on Mack at that point. In other words, Cleveland could pay Mack above market value for his position for two years, and still see the center leave without compensation.
If Mack does not opt out of the contract he will get a guaranteed $8 million in 2016. The deal will make Mack the highest paid center in the NFL.
Alex Mack was given a transition tag by the Browns earlier in the off-season. The team had until Wednesday at Midnight to either match the deal or let Mack go without compensation.
The 28-year-old Mack is entering his sixth year in the NFL. He has been remarkably durable and has not missed a game since being drafted out of California by the Browns with a first round pick, 21st overall, in the 2009 NFL Draft.
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