While most of the questions surrounding San Francisco’s offense relate to the futures of Jimmy Garoppolo and Deebo Samuel, the decision center Alex Mack makes with respect to his career is significant as well. A final answer to the question of whether or not he will retire appears to be coming soon. 
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Mack is leaning towards ending his career. Despite the fact that two years remain on his current contract, he writes, “it appears that… Mack is ready to walk away from the game”. Not surprisingly, the team is leaving a final announcement up to him.
“I’ve talked to him here and there” head coach Kyle Shanahan said when asked about Mack’s future. “I’ve been in touch with him throughout the offseason… I’ve got a pretty good idea of what he’s doing… I’m going to leave that up to Alex, but I’ve got a pretty good idea.”
The notion that the 36-year-old could choose to retire this season isn’t new, of course. It was reported in April that Mack was considering doing just that; both Shanahan and general manager John Lynch stated at the time, however, that they were under the impression Mack would return for at least one more season. A retirement announcement in the near future would contradict their line of thought from one month ago, but it would also create a significant hole on the team’s offensive line.
In his first year with the 49ers, Mack earned his seventh Pro Bowl nod and continued his career-long streak of starting every game he was available for. If he were to retire, San Francisco would face even more turnover along their offensive front; left guard Laken Tomlinson signed with the Jets in free agency, while right tackle Mike McGlinchey was limited to eight games last season as a result of injury. The team added Spencer Burford and Nick Zakelj during the draft, but neither project as options at center at the NFL level.
The Browns for a few years now have had truly excellent offensive lines. But for many years prior it was Joe Thomas, Alex Mack and a bunch of spare parts. Mack was truly outstanding for a number of seasons, especially since he was often also covering for mistakes from his line mates. Even as a Steeler fan he was a pleasure to watch.
Agreed on all counts. Those two guys overlapped with Mitchell Schwartz and Joel Bitonio before the latter two guys peaked. Imagine a line with all four guys near their best.
For sure that would have been something, though their present line is pretty darn good. Mack, Bitonio and Thomas each should at the very least be in the discussion for best ever Cleveland Brown at their respective positions (and older farts like me remember that this is a franchise with a long and very storied history despite the lack of Super Bowls) And Schwartz developed into a very good one too, whose back injuries I presume have ended his career. Mack was underrated then, Bitonio might still be now.
Thomas has to be a shoo-in for all Browns tackle. Schwartz got great in KC. He does seem thoroughly retired now from hearing him on the Athletic podcast with Robert Mays.
If they currently have a center of the future, I could actually see it being one of their UDFAs. Dohnovan West could have been a mid round pick, has a ton of zone experience, and got a high six figure guarantee. Poe almost certainly needs a good bit of coaching and experience, but he’s a FREAKY athlete. Highly recommend watching highlights.
If he retires, more than likely the Niners would probably trade for an established Center.
Or maybe sign Tretter? I’m trying to think of a solid center that might be available in trade. Any come to mind for you?
Tretter is probably the best FA bet, but Matt Paradis and Trey Hopkins are 2 others who if healthy might fit, and Hopkins would for sure be less expensive than the other 2. As for trades, center strikes me as a position where few teams ever make one available in a trade because it’s so hard to find a good one.
I wonder if Houston would part with Justin Britt. He is already 30 and this season and maybe next would be a tank season for the Texans anyway. May wanna get young on the line while the 49ers are in a win now situation for Britt.
It’s important to remember that Mike Florio is the John Hayman of Ric Buchers.