Cleveland Browns: Will Alex Mack Leave In 2016?

Is there going to be enough progress and success in 2015 for Alex Mack to make him want to stay in Cleveland for years to come?

Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack is one of the best at his position in the NFL. He’s been to multiple Pro Bowls and is the heart and soul of Cleveland’s offensive line. Before the start of last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars offered Mack a 5 year, $42 million contract.

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Cleveland General Manager Ray Farmer matched the offer, as was his right, and Mack remained a Brown. But the contract contained an opt out clause after two years and Mack has made it clear that if the team doesn’t win he’ll do just that.

Though the team may be improving, the question of whether he would he really be on his way out needs to be on the minds of fans.

Mack had started every game of his career and like LT Joe Thomas, had played every snap until suffering a season ending broken leg in game five last season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. When Mack went down so did the offensive production. Even though Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West had respectable rookie seasons, the Browns went from a top five rushing team to dead last after Mack left the lineup.

Mack was drafted by the Browns out of Cal and he has been a rare gem. He is smart, tough as nails, and Cleveland is lucky to have him. They know that too.

Mack wants to win football games. He’s not in it to play in Pro Bowls, he wants Super Bowls. He’s tired of playing for teams that win 5 games every year. He wants out of Cleveland if the losing continues and I don’t blame him for that.

I do however have an issue with him signing with Jacksonville. They didn’t win half as many games as Cleveland in 2014 and they won’t in 2015 either. It looks like Farmer did Mack a favor! Now Mack owes Farmer.

Seriously, Mack should consider staying in Cleveland. I think that if the Browns have a good year and continue to show some improvement, they could sell him on staying. Cleveland might not have a great record at the end of the season but if they show Mack that they have the same fight in them that he has, they have a chance.

I believe this will happen. Cleveland won’t go 4-12, even with Josh McCown at quarterback. The team is full of high character guys that love the game. These are players full of pride, not vanity. They’ll do more than just show up. This is a team on the rise and I’m hoping that Mack believes it too. Even though Cleveland drafted Mack’s supposed replacement, Cameron Erving, the Browns need Mack.

He isn’t someone you can just replace with a versatile blocker. Mack has all the intangibles you look for in an offensive lineman. He is the leader of the most important position group on the team. He and Thomas, along with Joel Bitonio and John Greco make up four fifths of the second best line in the NFL.

If Erving can play right tackle as well as he played center in college, this will be a line to be reckoned with. I would think that Mack would be interested in that.

Although Mack isn’t seeking recognition, he surely would be intrigued by the thought of playing on a line that featured three or four Pro Bowlers.

If Cleveland wins at least seven games like they did last year, knowing that they are probably only a few players away from making it to the playoffs, Mack should have enough incentive to stay in Cleveland.

The Browns should take a page out of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones‘ recruitment tactics.

When LSU tackle La’El Collins went undrafted this spring, Jones jumped on the opportunity to sign Collins and had him bring his mother to have dinner at the Jones mansion.

The Browns should employ a similar strategy to re-sign Mack. Have Mack over for dinner at the Haslam mansion. I’m sure there is one somewhere. Also, have the entire offensive line there, even Erving. Wine and dine him and make him know that he’s not only needed, he’s wanted. Sell him like Jerry Jones would.

Next: 5 Reasons To Be Optimistic About The 2015 Cleveland Browns

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