Alex Mack opts out of contract but may not be done in Cleveland

Alex Mack opted out of his contract today, voiding the final three years and becoming a free agent.

Mack opted out of the $20 million remaining on his contract to enter into free agency and place himself back on the open market. He will likely be due somewhere between $8–10m per year and it’s a move that many, Cleveland included, have been expecting.

While Mack voided his contract with the Browns it does not mean he is done in Cleveland. Per May Kay Cabot of cleveland.com “After communicating with Alex Mack’s agent, Tim Younger, today, I really believe he wants to remain with Browns. Price will be set March 7th.” Mack is likely to be courted by a number of teams, including; the Colts, Jaguars and Rams. Both the Rams have Colts have a big need at center while the Jaguars have all the cap-space in the world and agreed to terms with Mack when he was hit with the transition tag two years ago.

Mack remains a top-ten player at his position and is now a top-ten player in this free agent class. With cap space galore he is going to get P-A-I-D. The Colts, Jags and Rams will set the price and Cleveland will have to come up with deep pockets to keep him in town. With their considerable lack of talent the Browns must retain all of their quality players, irrespective of price, if they’re not receiving any compensation. Keeping Joe Thomas and Alex Mack in town is a must, and while paying $10m+ a year for a center on the wrong side of thirty is not ideal, the Browns cannot afford to have talent leave their facility.