The San Francisco 49ers remain hopeful that veteran center Alex Mack will return for his 14th NFL season. But, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, that is far from a certainty.
"Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, 36, has still not decided if he will retire or return to the 49ers for his 14th NFL season, a league source told The Chronicle," wrote Branch.
General manager John Lynch, speaking at the owners' meetings in March, sounded optimistic about getting his veteran center back but could not say for sure that anything was decided at that point.
"He's training like he's coming back," Lynch said. "I won't speak for him, but all signs are him coming back and being a part of us."
The Cleveland Browns made Mack the No. 21 overall pick in 2009. He has started all 196 of his career game appearances, playing through entire seasons 11 times, including his 17 starts with the 49ers in 2021.
"I feel good about him coming back," head coach Kyle Shanahan said in March, per Branch. "He thinks everything out, and he's got to go at his own pace. So he won't confirm anything for us. But I feel pretty good about it. I'd be surprised if he's not back."
Mack is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time second-team All-Pro. He signed a three-year deal with the 49ers on March 18, 2021.