Alex Mack will sign the offer sheet put forth by the Jacksonville Jaguars this Friday, according to reports. That offer sheet will be worth a hefty sum to the offensive guard. Per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Mack could make $42 million over five years, with $18 million guaranteed over the first two years of the contract. The Cleveland Browns will have five days from when Mack signs the contract to decide if they want to match the offer sheet.
Alex Mack to sign 5-year, $42 million offer sheet from Jaguars on Friday
Alex Mack received a hefty offer sheet from the Jaguars that he is expected to sign Friday. Included in the deal is a player option that will allow him to hit free agency after his second year if he desires.
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Mack has suggested that he would prefer not to remain in Cleveland, and the offer sheet has some built-in safeguards in case the Browns match. The deal includes a player option after Year 2 that would allow Mack to void the contract and become a free agent, ensuring that he will be able to leave if the Mike Pettine era goes as well as the last few head coaching regimes in Cleveland. It also ensures that he cannot be given a franchise tag -- either by Jacksonville or Cleveland -- immediately after the 2015 season, which would force him to stay with the team even if he wanted to leave.
According to Fox Sports 1's Mike Garafolo, Mack will earn another $8 million guaranteed if he does not void his own contract in his third year, so it appears that he has done a good job of securing himself financially at least through the 2016 season. In total, Mack is guaranteed $26 million if he plays three seasons under the contract.
The Browns placed the transition tag on Mack at the beginning of free agency, giving Mack the option to freely negotiate with other teams. If the Browns match the Jags’ offer sheet, Mack will be forced to sign with them, however, hence the importance of the player option.
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