The Cleveland Browns have decided to match the Jacksonville Jaguars offer sheet to free agent center Alex Mack, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The Jaguars courted Mack late in the free agency period and ended up offering him a five-year, $42 million deal with $26 million guaranteed if Mack plays at least three years of the deal. The deal also included $18 million guaranteed in the first two seasons, after of which Mack could choose to opt out of the deal and not be franchise tagged. The deal also includes a no-trade clause.
The deal will pay Mack $10 million in the first season and $8 million in the final four seasons of the deal.
Rated as one of the top centers in the NFL, Mack was originally drafted by the Browns in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The 28-year old center is a two-time Pro Bowler and was named second-team All Pro in 2013.