In news that everybody was expecting, Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack has opted out of the final three years of his contract. Mack was due $20 million in base salary, and $4 million in roster bonuses over the remainder of the contract. He is currently 30, and can likely secure a sizable guarantee in a new deal, thus increasing his short term earnings. It was highly unlikely the Browns would cut him over the final three seasons of his deal, but immediate security has value.
There is speculation that Mack will be back with the Browns before all is said and done. They have $42 million in salary cap space, so there is plenty of room to get a deal done. However, there will be other teams interested. This FOX Sports article points to the Jacksonville Jaguars as a potential suitor. When the Browns designated Mack their transition player in 2014, the Jaguars signed him to a 5-year, $42 million offer sheet. The Browns matched it, but Mack had made sure the Jaguars offer included the opt-out clause.
The Jaguars signed Stefen Wisniewski prior to the 2015 season, but only to a one-year deal. It is possible they pursue Mack again, and thus let Wisniewski sign elsewhere. This gets interesting if Mack heads to Jacksonville, because suddenly Wisniewski is on the market. I think the 49ers stick with Daniel Kilgore at center, but Wisniewski is a potentially inexpensive option that might intrigue the 49ers need for some offensive line competition.