Falcons Fill Big Gap By Signing Center Alex Mack

Former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Alex Mack has signed a new five-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons as the new league year begins, after he opted out of the five-year contract he received from the Cleveland Browns in 2014.

Falcons Fill Big Gap By Signing Center Alex Mack

According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, the deal will average $9.5 million per year, which is roughly $500,000 less per year than Mack could have averaged with the Browns.

Mack will fill a significant need for the Falcons’ interior line. Mike Person, the starting center in Atlanta last season, struggled mightily in 2015 with botched snaps and poor blocking.

The veteran center is the second major departure for the Browns in free agency as wide receiver Travis Benjamin has agreed to a contract with the San Diego Chargers. Mack, 30, voided the final three years and $24 million remaining on his contract on March 2, becoming a free agent. He had to make a decision on the opt-out by March 4.

Mack had an opt-out clause in the deal because it was written by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were attempting to make the contract unappealing to the Browns. Mack exercised the opt-out clause after making $18 million guaranteed over the first two seasons of the five-year deal. The last three years would pay him $24 million. Mack, one of the top centers in the league, felt he could get more money on the open market.

Mike Pouncey signed a five-year, $44.75 million deal with the Miami Dolphins, likely considered a baseline for a new deal by Mack.

Mack sustained a broken fibula in 2014 that required surgery to repair and missed 11 games that season. Last season, however, he came back strong and started all 16 regular-season games for the Browns.

In Atlanta, Mack will reunite with Kyle Shanahan, who was his offensive coordinator in Cleveland in 2014. King stated that Mack said his relationship with Shanahan was definitely a factor in his decision to agree to the terms of the contract with the Falcons.

“We knew we needed to add an established presence along our offensive line,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a press release. “Alex is a three-time pro bowler and is an ideal scheme fit for our offense. We understand the importance of solidifying the center position and we have been able to do that today. We are pleased to be able to add Alex to our roster and believe he will be an anchor to our line.”

Caption: PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 30: Cortez Allen #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Alex Mack #55 of the Cleveland Browns after returning a fumble during the game at Heinz Field on December 30, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena