Alex Mack is heading to Atlanta.
The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a five-year contract with the three-time Pro Bowl center, the team announced Wednesday.
Chalk it up as a major signing for Atlanta, strengthening the club's offensive line with one of the league's grittiest interior maulers. Outside of missing 11 starts in 2014 with a broken fibula and ankle, Mack has started all 101 games of his career with the Browns.
There was hope in Cleveland that the team's newfangled front office would find a way to keep their trusty pivot, but Mack was a strong candidate to bounce after voiding his contract with the bottom-feeding Browns.
Undoubtedly, Falcons play-caller Kyle Shanahan also put in a good word for Mack after they worked together in Cleveland in 2014. He's an ideal fit for Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme and a serious upgrade over Mike Person, who struggled at center last season. It's also great news for Shanahan's cast of running backs led by Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
The 30-year-old Mack struggled for parts of last season, but he's operated as one of the league's top centers from Day One. The money will be steep for a player of his age, but Mack has an excellent chance to finish out his deal as a reliable anchor along Atlanta's O-line.
The Browns, meanwhile, are watching another key player walk out the door.
