We spent a lot of time this week talking about the Jaguars’ plans to present an offer sheet to transition-tagged center Alex Mack and what the Browns, who hold the right to match any offer, might do if the offer sheet was sent their way.
It looks like we spent a lot more time talking about it than the Browns needed to make their decision. Mack signed the offer sheet from the Jaguars on Friday and Adam Schefter of ESPN and Jay Glazer of FOX Sports both report that the Browns have decided to match it and hold onto Mack before the day is out.
It’s reportedly a five-year, $42 million with $26 million guaranteed and the Browns have until next Wednesday to make their decision official. Indications all week have been that they were inclined to match the offer, however, and Schefter’s report suggests that those indications were right on target. According to Glazer, the Browns had gone back and forth about the decision because of the size of the guaranteed money before ultimately opting to hold onto one of the league’s best centers.
Matching the deal means the Browns won’t need to use any of their 10 draft picks on a center, but the Jaguars will likely be in the market for one with Mack in Cleveland and Brad Meester retiring after a long run with the Jags.
