Several variables factored into veteran center Alex Mack's decision to sign with the San Francisco 49ers. It wasn't just because of a second reunion with head coach Kyle Shanahan. The two previously worked together in Cleveland and Atlanta. It wasn't just the money or the area, either. Mack is a Southern California native and still spends his offseason there. He played college football for the California Golden Bears. The idea of returning to his home state was enticing.
The six-time Pro Bowler joined KNBR on Thursday and discussed what went into his decision to sign with the Bay Area team. Much of it had to do with what Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have built in Santa Clara.
"I think, for me, the most important thing is being on a good team," Mack said on the Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show. "If I'm going to put forth the effort, if I'm going to grind my body, if I'm going to put in all that pain and suffering that it takes to be good, you want to do it for a reason. So, having a team that can be competitive, that has all the talent, that was exciting to me."
San Francisco struggled its way to six wins last season. Much of that had to do with the overwhelming number of injuries that devastated a roster coming off a Super Bowl appearance. The 49ers hope for a healthier outlook in 2021 and to rebound from a disappointing campaign.
Mack sees that the potential is there. The pieces are in place, and that's something of which he wanted to be a part.
"To go to the right team, and then choosing the offense that I think I can be good at, I want to put myself in a position where I know I can be the best player I possibly can, and I think this system is it," Mack continued. "I think this is where I can be the best player. And so, those things really melded really well. And then the cherry on top? It was in a good area."
Familiarity with Shanahan's offense will be a benefit. Mack was asked what it was about the scheme that makes it so challenging to defend against.
"Kyle's a great coach, and he really tries to tie in the run game with the play action, and really stress any defense with making things look the same, showing the same looks, and making one play off the other," Mack explained. "So if the team is going to come up in the box and try to stop the run, you do the same play-action, and all of a sudden, you have a lot ... the ball can just be really open in the backend.
"... And for us linemen, it's easy to pass block. Everyone's running sideways with you. They're not rushing the quarterback."
Mack also discussed his role as a center within Shanahan's offense, the benefit of his wrestling background, working with the Special Olympics, and his decision to attend college at Cal.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Mack below.