Jason Cole of B/R spoke with Browns C Alex Mack at the Pro Bowl this week, and he mentioned that he has yet to make a decision as to whether he’ll opt out of his current agreement and test the open market.
However, sources around the league have told Cole that Mack is likely to do so and seek a pay raise above the current $8 million salary he’s scheduled to make for the next few years.
Browns new HC Hue Jackson has reached out to Mack, but the two have yet to speak. Mack plans to wait until after the Super Bowl before making a decision regarding his opt-out clause.
All things considered, it would be surprising if Mack didn’t become a free agent, given the amount of that’s available to spent and the fact that he would be one of the best interior offensive linemen available.
Mack, 29, is technically in the second year of his five-year, $42 million contract that included $26 million guaranteed. However, the contract gives him the ability to opt out that will allow him to test the open market again.
He currently stands to make annual base salaries of $8 million over the remainder of the agreement and the deal includes a no-trade clause.
In 2015, Mack appeared in all 16 games and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 16 center out of 40 qualifying players.
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