CLEVELAND (AP) – Alex Mack snapped the ball into the Browns’ court.
The three-time Pro Bowl center voided the final three years of his contract and will become a free agent, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. He will be eligible to sign with other teams when NFL free agency opens on March 9, but Mack can still re-sign with the Browns, and that is “very possible,” said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Mack had until Friday to opt out of his contract.
One of the league’s best interior linemen, Mack was set to make $24 million over the next three years on the deal he signed with the Browns in 2014. He will certainly draw interest from other teams if the Browns don’t re-sign him before he hits the open market. Mack could command a $10-million-per-year contract.
Cleveland’s revamped front office and coaching staff view Mack as one of the team’s leaders and would hate to see the 30-year-old leave. He recently met with new coach Hue Jackson to discuss the team’s plans going forward.