Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

When Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl center Alex Mack was slapped with the transition tag, it was widely presumed teams would resist the urge to negotiate with him.

But even the Browns' ability to match any competing offer apparently hasn't dissuaded teams from entering into conversations with Mack, including the Indianapolis Colts.

When the Colts released two-year starting center Samson Satele last week, it became clear they would aggressively endeavor to upgrade the position. The Star has confirmed the Colts are one of the teams to have contacted Mack, though their level of interest and the nature of the conversations remain unclear.

But just a mere overture to Mack is a tantalizing possibility considering the struggles of the Colts' interior offensive line last season. With guard Donald Thomas missing 14 games with a quadriceps tear, the middle of the unit underperformed and created severe challenges in pass protection and in the running game. A player of Mack's caliber would go a long way toward addressing those issues.

But landing Mack would be a chore.

Players designated with the transition tag are tendered with an offer that comes with a requisite one-year salary based on their position ($10 million in Mack's case). Mack's agent, Marvin Demoff, told Sports Illustrated's Peter King this week that he can work with a team to structure a contract that would give the Browns pause when deciding whether to match. It's not clear how that would be accomplished, especially in light of Cleveland's wish to keep Mack at all costs.

Complicating that process is the Colts' wish to remain in healthy salary-cap position in the coming years. It would seem structuring a deal with Mack would have far-reaching implications on the Colts' cap situation moving forward.

As you can see, Mack changing teams is far from a sure thing.

But the Colts are definitely interested, knowing the two-time Pro Bowler's addition would change the complexion of their offensive line.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed former Colts offensive lineman Jeff Linkenbach.