Everyone has been waiting to hear what San Francisco 49ers center Alex Mack would do. Would he return for his 14th NFL season and second with the Niners, or would he opt to call it a career and retire?
According to Michael Silver of Bally Sports, the veteran offensive lineman has opted to retire, bringing his illustrious 13-year career to an end.
Seven-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack is retiring after 13 seasons. The former Browns, Falcons and 49ers standout was one of the top linemen of his era. @BallySports @49ers
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) June 2, 2022
The 49ers later officially announced Mack's retirement.
"We would like to thank Alex for all that he brought to the 49ers throughout the 2021 season," said general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan via a statement. "The center position in the NFL is the heartbeat of an offense and Alex's intellect, consistency, love for the game and professional approach made a lasting impression over the course of his 13 NFL seasons. Congratulations to Alex on a highly decorated NFL career and we wish him nothing but success in his post-playing career."
The news shouldn't come as a surprise to fans. Last week, head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted that Mack might be leaning towards retirement after the center failed to report for organized team activities.
"I'm going to leave that up to Alex, but I've got a pretty good idea," Shanahan told reporters. "I think you guys do too."
Mack had two years remaining on the deal he signed on March 18, 2021. Today, the 49ers restructured the offensive lineman's contract, again hinting that retirement was likely. The move created over $4 million in salary-cap space. As a result, Mack's 2022 base salary dropped from $5 million to $1.12 million and his 2023 base salary from $3.35 million to $1.165 million.
"After 13 years and 204 games for 3 teams, I have decided to hang up my cleats. I am so grateful to the game of football and everything it has given me," Mack wrote via Twitter. "From the very start it helped shape who I am and taught me life lessons. I started to play football because it was fun and that never changed.
"Thank you to the fans. You have been with me on an incredible journey across the country. Thank you to Cleveland, Atlanta, and San Francisco; I loved living in these cities and will miss their dedicated fan bases.
"Thank you to all the coaches, who tolerated my stubbornness and taught me as much as they could. I always tried to hold up my end of the bargain and never let anyone doubt my effort.
"Thank you to teammates and opponents. We are forever bound by our competition at the highest level and by our full commitment to our craft. I think I'll miss the O-line rooms the most; always a special collection of men willing to put in the work together, in near anonymity, for the good of the team.
"Thank you to friends and family. The demands of pro football can make a career appear selfish, yet, you supported me in my passion and rode with me for the ups and downs. I couldn't have done it without you.
"This really is more "thank you" than "goodbye". From draft night to the final whistle, I will carry these special memories, and each of these treasured relationships, with me into my next chapter."
— Alex Mack (@alexmack51) June 3, 2022
The Cleveland Browns drafted Mack (6-4, 311) out of California with the No. 21 overall pick in 2009. He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
Mack, 36, has started all 196 games in which he has appeared through his 13 NFL seasons. His Pro Football Focus overall grade of 70.6 and pass-blocking grade of 74.8 last season were improvements over his 2020 grades with the Atlanta Falcons.