Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

Free-agent Pro Bowl center Alex Mack doesn't know where he'll play football this fall after the Cleveland Browns' used the transition tag — giving them the right to match any offers — on him.

But if he winds up in Indianapolis with the Colts, he'd consider it a win.

On Thursday – hours before the Colts signed another center – Mack wouldn't reveal which teams are negotiating with him but said he would consider the Colts a welcome suitor.

"Anytime a player has a chance to talk with a team with a proven record like the Colts, (with) a quarterback and other weapons of the caliber Indy has, it certainly catches your attention," Mack, 28, said in an exclusive interview with The Indianapolis Star.

Asked about the teams he's having conversations with, Mack said, "I don't want to get into who has contacted me. I leave those questions for my agents."

The Star previously confirmed the Colts are one of four teams exploring the possibility of adding the two-time Pro Bowler. The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly one of the others. But negotiating with Mack involves many complexities because of the transition player designation.

The Browns are committed to paying Mack $10 million for one season if he plays under the transition tag. They could have used the franchise tag and received two first-round draft picks as compensation if Mack signed with another team, but that also comes with a larger salary ($11.654 million).

Perhaps that's why the Colts on Thursday were in the process of signing Cowboys free agent center Phil Costa to a two-year $2.7-million deal. The Colts could use Costa as their starting center but do not appear to have closed the door on Mack. Costa, 26, was benched last season after the Cowboys went with first-round pick Travis Frederick as their starter. Before that, Costa started 20 games in three seasons with Dallas after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2010.

In a statement, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said: "Phil is a young, hard-nosed and physical center who has shown he can play at a winning level in our league. He will provide strong competition at the center position."

Regarding Mack, the Browns are committed to paying him $10 million for one season if he plays under the transition tag. They could have used the franchise tag and received two first-round draft picks as compensation if Mack signed with another team, but that also comes with a larger salary ($11.654 million).

Mack and his representatives have vowed to work with interested teams to craft a deal that would make the Browns hesitant to match under the transition tag.

The process, however, takes time. While unrestricted free agents are signing blockbuster deals, Mack sits and wait for an outcome as the wheels slowly turn. Even if he is presented with an offer sheet, the Browns then have five days to decide their move.

For Mack, the wait would be worth it if he secures the long-term contract he seeks

"I'm willing to be patient with the process," he said.

The Colts have a glaring need at center after releasing two-year starter Samson Satele last week.

Call Star reporter Stephen Holder at (317) 444-6520. Follow him on Twitter: @HolderStephen.