Center Alex Mack is staying in the AFC North as the Cleveland Browns have decided to match the offer sheet that he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Browns wasted no time in showing how much they wanted to retain Mack as the center reportedly just signed the five-year, $42 million offer sheet with the Jaguars on Friday.
Now that the Browns have decided to match the offer sheet, they will have to honor the terms of it and that includes them paying Mack $26 million guaranteed. In addition, Mack can void the contract after the first two seasons and he can’t be tagged again when the contract expires.
Instead of placing the franchise tag on Mack prior to the start of the free agency signing period, the Browns chose to place the $10.03 million transition tag on him instead. Had they decided not to match the offer given him by the Jaguars, they wouldn’t have received any compensation for losing him.
Mack, who was drafted by the Browns in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, hasn’t missed a start in 80 career games. He’s also a two-time Pro Bowler.
