Browns C Alex Mack mentioned that “winning is really important” to him when he was asked about the possibility of him opting out of his contract after the season.
“I will say that winning is really important to me,” Mack said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
There were rumors that Mack was available for trade ahead of this year’s trade deadline. However, Mack ultimately announced that he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause to play for a team other than the Browns.
Mack stressed that he enjoys playing with his teammates in Cleveland.
“I really like the guys I play with,” said Mack. “The other guys on the o-line are great people. They’re awesome friends and really good teammates. Like I said, I owe a lot of thanks to them for helping me be a good player.”
Browns HC Mike Pettine acknowledged that Mack could depart in free agency next March.
“He could,” said Pettine. “We don’t have much control over that. That’s his personal decision. It’s in his favor that he has that in his contract. We’ll react accordingly. Alex Mack is a Cleveland Brown. We’d love to have him here and be a part of what we are doing, but that is a decision that will be made down the road.”
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 next year.
He’ll make a base salary of $8 million (2015), $8 million (2016), and $8 million (2017-18) over the remainder of the agreement. It’s worth mentioning that Mack has a no-trade clause.
This year, Mack has also appeared in 14 games and is rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 18 center out of 40 qualifying players.
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