Alex Mack

Browns center Alex Mack can sign elsewhere on March 9th, but the Browns might still try to re-sign him.

(John Kuntz, Plain Dealer file photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Alex Mack has voided the final three years of his contract with the Browns and will test the free agent market, but his agent says that his return to Cleveland is still very possible and that he has deep roots here.

"We view Alex's decision to void as procedural,'' said agent Tim Younger. "It was built into his contract to afford him maximum flexibility. For the first time in his career, he will be experiencing true free agency. Although we anticipate interest from multiple teams, he was very impressed with Hue Jackson and returning to the Browns certainly remains on the table.''

Mack is set to become a free agent March 9, and other teams can begin negotiations with him March 7 -- and set the market price. But the Browns can still re-sign him before he actually hits the market at 4 p.m. March 9.

Mack, 30, had three years remaining on his contract at $8 million a year, including $8 million guaranteed. He stands to become the highest-paid center in the NFL -- again -- and possibly the first $10 million-a-year man in the middle.

He became the league's highest paid center when the Browns matched Jacksonville's offer under the transition tag two years ago and signed him to a five-year deal worth $42 million, including $18 million guaranteed over the first two years and another $8 million guaranteed in 2016 if he's on the roster April 5. The deal averaged $8.4 million a year. But by the time he opted out, he was fifth.

Of course, the contract afforded him the opportunity to void the deal after two years and hit the free agent market for the first time in his career. It was a foregone conclusion that was going to happen unless the Browns made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

Here's what it all means:

* The only way the Browns could've kept Mack from opting out was to sign him to a multi-year deal averaging about $10 million a year, with upwards of $20 million guaranteed.

* Mack is the best center on the market and is expected to attract interest from at least six to eight teams. The Jaguars wanted him badly in 2014 and might pursue him again. The Colts could also be possible suitors.

* His price will be set on Monday when his agents, Marvin Demoff and Younger, field offers. A comparable deal will be Miami's Mike Pouncey, who signed a five-year, $44.75 million contract last season, including a $5 million signing bonus and $22 million guaranteed. His average annual annual salary is $8.95 million -- making him the highest paid center in the NFL.

* Once Mack's number is set, the Browns can decide if they want to match or exceed those offers.

* Mack really likes Cleveland, and that will factor into his decision. He likes Browns coach Hue Jackson, he loves his fellow offensive linemen and his girlfriend is from here. That's not to say Mack will take a hometown discount, but he likes a lot about the Browns, including the loyal fan base.

* Mack essentially just played under a two-year contract worth $18 million guaranteed, or $9 million a year. Thanks to his broken fibula in 2014, he started only 21 games the past two seasons at about $857,000 per game.

* The Browns would like to re-sign Mack, but only if the price is right. His age will factor in, but he takes great care of his body and likely has at least four good years left.

* If the Browns opt not to re-sign him, it's because they feel they can turn the job over to 2015 No. 19 overall pick Cam Erving, who started four games at guard last year. Erving got knocked on his tail at times and needs to get stronger, but the Browns love his attitude and determination to be great.

* If they do re-sign Mack, Erving can serve as a swingman again and grow into a starting job.

* The Browns can ill afford to lose both Mack and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who's set to hit the market and stands to become the highest paid right tackle at about $8.5 million a year.

* They have $48.85 million in cap space heading into free agency, according to Joel Corry of cbsports.com and nationalfootballpost.com. It's in the top 10 in the NFL. They have money to spend and might as well use it on some of their own premier free agents instead of another team's.

Raheem Mostert tendered

The Browns have extended an exclusive rights tender to running back/kick returner Raheem Mostert, his agent Brett Tessler tweeted Wednesday. Mostert, originally signed by the Eagles as an undrafted rookie out of Purdue last year, was claimed off waivers from the Ravens by the Browns on Dec. 16. In his Browns debut against the Seahawks, he returned five kickoffs for 159 yards, including a 53-yarder.