Browns center Alex Mack is getting ready for the start of free agency on Tuesday afternoon with the knowledge that he could be donning a different jersey for the first time in his career. Mack isn’t saying that he’s looking to jump ship after not seeing the playoffs in five years with Cleveland, but he’s also eager to explore his opportunities elsewhere, writes Brent Sobleski of USA Today.
“My time in Cleveland was interesting to say the least,” Mack said. “It was never boring. But there is no guarantee anywhere you go. It’s not a given what happens in Cleveland now or for any other team. I like where my future is going. Mr. [Jimmy] Haslam, he’s a really good owner. I got a really good feeling about him. He’s a direct person who knows what he wants to do. There’s something to be said of that. It’s now a clean slate.”
Sobleski notes that three teams could be of particular interest to the second-team All-Pro center. The Buccaneers, now under the direction of head coach Lovie Smith, feature Mack’s former college head coach Jeff Tedford as the offensive coordinator and his previous offensive line coach with the Browns, George Warhop. The Colts, who cut starting center Samson Satele earlier today, hired former Browns’ head coach Rob Chudzinski as a special assistant. The Raiders could also be a consideration as Mack grew up a Raiders fan as a child in Santa Barbara, California.
Prior to placing the transition tag on him on Monday, the Browns met with Mack over the weekend. Along with Haslam, Ray Farmer, and Mike Pettine, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and offensive line coach Andy Moeller were in attendance.