The Browns matched the Jaguars offer for center Alex Brown (55). (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
After the Jacksonville Jaguars announced Friday that they signed center Alex Mack to an offer sheet, the Cleveland Browns responded by announcing that they will match it.
Ffinancial details were not disclosed, but ESPN reported that it is a five-year, $42 million offer that includes $26 million in guaranteed money.
Mack would reportedly get $10 million this year and $8 million in each of the final four seasons of the deal. According to other reports, there is also a stipulation that the team cannot place the franchise tag on him after the 2015 season and a no-trade that runs through the first three years of the contract.
The Browns’ decision was not a surprise. Owner Jimmy Haslam said earlier the team would match any offer “in a second” and that Mack would be a core element in a rebuilt offense.
“We have talked about keeping our own players and this is a positive for us,” Browns general manager Ray Farmer said in a statement. “Alex is a quality person and player that truly brings to life what playing like a Brown means.
“The ending is positive for everyone. Keeping our young, good nucleus of players is vital for clubs and specifically the Browns, and therefore is this a good step.”
The Browns placed the transition tag on Mack — not the franchise tag — giving the team the chance to match any offer sheet he signs. The transition tag guarantees Mack the average of the 10 highest-paid offensive linemen, or $10.039 million.
The 6-foot-4, 311-pound Mack was drafted by the Browns in the first round in 2009. He has not missed one offensive play in five years, a run of 4,998 consecutive snaps.
The Jaguars were looking at Mack to replace Brad Meester, who retired after 14 seasons with the Jaguars.
