The San Francisco 49ers have officially announced the signing of center Alex Mack, and it isn't to a one-year, $5.5 million deal, as previously reported. Mack is inking a three-year deal with San Francisco, according to a press release from his new team.
"We are excited to add another Pro Bowl player to our offensive line," said general manager John Lynch via a statement. "Throughout his career, Alex has been a model of consistency. His leadership and high character will be felt throughout our team and community."
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The change in the contract terms could mean the 49ers are trying to keep his 2021 cap hit down, pushing much of the salary to future years.
Mack may provide San Francisco with something it has lacked in recent years — dependability at center. The veteran offensive lineman has started 16 games in all but two of his 12 NFL seasons. He started 90 consecutive regular-season games before missing the final two contests of last season due to a concussion.
The signing reunites Mack with his former offensive coordinator in Cleveland and Atlanta — current 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Mack (6-4, 311) was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (21st overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. A three-time Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro (2013 & 2016-17) and six-time Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2014 & 2016-19), he has started all 179 career regular-season games in which he appeared and five postseason contests throughout his career.
Mack spent the previous five seasons (2016-20) with Atlanta after signing with the team on March 9, 2016. He started all 78 regular-season games in which he appeared and five postseason contests with the Falcons. As a rookie in 2009, he started all 16 games and earned All-Rookie honors with Cleveland.
A 35-year-old native of Santa Barbara, CA, Mack appeared in 46 games (39 starts) in five years (2004-08) at the University of California-Berkeley. At Cal, he became the third player in PAC-10 Conference history to receive the Morris Trophy, given to the best offensive lineman in the Pac-10 as voted by Pac-10 defensive linemen, in consecutive seasons (2007-08).