Browns center Alex Mack relieved free agency ride over, excited about future with team
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - This Dec. 1, 2013 file photo shows Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack (55) in action during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in Cleveland. Browns Pro Bowl center Alex Mack's football future could be decided in the next few days _ or hours. The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to sign Mack to a contract offer sheet on Friday, April 11, 2014. Once the paperwork is filed, the Browns will have five days to match. Cleveland secured that right after placing a $10 million transition tag on Mack before free agency opened. (AP Photo/David Richard, File) (The Associated Press)
The confusing whirlwind of free agency behind him, Pro Bowl center Alex Mack says he's excited about staying with the Browns.
Mack remained with Cleveland after the team quickly matched the five-year, $42 million offer sheet he signed from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday. The deal makes Mack the NFL's highest-paid center and allows him to test free agency again after two seasons.
For now, though, Mack is with the Browns and he said Monday that's looking forward to helping turn around a franchise that has endured six straight seasons of at least 11 losses. Mack disputed reports that he wanted out of Cleveland, saying "there's a business side of football, it's positioning."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mack would like to see more stability with the Browns, who fired coach Rob Chudzinski after just one season. Mike Pettine will be Mack's fourth coach in six seasons.
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