The Trade of Anderson Varejao with Chris Clem – WFNY Podcast No. 464
February 26, 2016Bengals believe Browns will be all over their free agents
February 26, 2016While Alex Mack could—and should—opt out of his current deal, the Cleveland Browns are looking to make sure that option isn’t one at all. According to ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon, the Browns not only met with Mack to discuss the future of the team, but are working feverishly to get a new deal in place before the Pro Bowl center has to opt out and potentially test the free agent market.
Per McManamon:
Mack visited personally with coach Hue Jackson, director of football operations Sashi Brown and new offensive line coach Hal Hunter to see the direction of the Browns.
Brown said talks were about Mack’s role and the new leadership’s “vision for winning,” which is all well and good and will say something to Mack.
But free agent contracts are a matter of dollars and cents, so rather than wait for the Pro Bowl center to hit the market after an opt out, the Browns are working to give him a restructured deal — and a raise. Mack has to make a decision on the opt-out by March 4, with unrestricted free agency beginning March 9.
Mack’s contract provides him with the ability to opt out and test the market, but rumors have quickly surfaced that while he would be smart to do so, this would also allow the 30-year old to restructure a deal with his current team that would guarantee him more money. Currently the second-highest paid center in the league, Mack could not only get a deal that would keep him in Cleveland for the foreseeable future, but one that would pay him much more while doing so.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Mack has anchored the middle of the Browns’ offensive line since being selected in the first round in 2009. While Cleveland had its fair share of issues on the line, the center and tackle positions all graded out in plus fashion while the guards—specifically rookie Cameron Erving and Austin Pasztor—graded out very poorly. The line was thought to be in a giant state of flux heading into the winter as Joe Thomas expressed doubt surrounding his future while Mack and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz pondered free agency.
Thomas has since given the Browns a thumbs up following the hiring of Hue Jackson, and it appears that talks with Mack have been at least healthy. Securing Schwartz would be the next piece of said puzzle considering the team has widely expected to use their No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft on a quarterback.
9 Comments
I’m coming from that Coke, jpftribe 🙂
Mack and Schwartz are the biggest signings this team can make. Bring back the two lineman from Cal and draft a QB from Cal.
Make it happen Browns!
If you tell Erving that in one short year, the Browns are re-signing Mack and he could be cut, you could knock him over with a feather.
Is this good news? This seems like good news. I’m not sure what good news and the Browns together looks like. Yeah, this seems like good news.
You can do that regardless.
https://media.giphy.com/media/hPrbhIhliAvwA/giphy.gif
Well that is reassuring after watching Erving last year.
Trust me, I’ll send you a case. One bet I would like to lose. But no one has signed yet……
I’d rather see Mack at center, Thomas at LT and Schwartz at RT than have Erving anywhere on that line. Especially with a rookie QB behind center.