TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Falcons are hoping that Javon Alexander Mack can help resurrect quarterback Matt Ryan's career.
The team agreed to a five-year deal with Mack, a three-time Pro Bowler, on Wednesday. The deal is reportedly worth nearly $47.5 million.
“We knew we needed to add an established presence along our offensive line,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement released by the team. “Alex is a three-time pro bowler and is an ideal scheme fit for our offense. We understand the importance of solidifying the center position and we have been able to do that today. We are pleased to be able to add Alex to our roster and believe he will be an anchor to our line.”
The Falcons have been under orders from owner Arthur Blank to attempt to maximize Ryan’s prime.
Ryan, who turned 30 last season, has been under duress since signing a $103 million contract in 2012. His dip in play coincided with the retirement of center Todd McClure.
With poorly constructed offensive lines and three different line coaches, Ryan has just managed an 18-30 record since guiding the Falcons to the playoffs in five of his first six seasons and to the NFC championship game after the 2012 season.
Mack, 30, will be counted on to solidify the interior of the offensive pocket.
Over the past three seasons, Ryan has been sacked 105 times. In 2013, he was sacked (44), hurried (45) or hit (206) a whopping 295 times. In the six seasons with McClure, he was sacked 113 times.
Mack voided an $8 million a year contract with the Cleveland Browns to become an unrestricted free agent.
Prior to the league tampering period opening on Monday, the Falcons said they would continue to look for bargains in free agency. Mack is no bargain.
Mack was selected 21st overall in the first-round of the 2009 draft out of California. He’s 6-foot-4, 312 pounds. He made the Pro Bowl in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
The 30-year-old Mack had $24 million remaining on the deal, including $8 million guarantee money with Cleveland.
He’s been trying to get out of Cleveland for awhile. On April 9, 2014, Jacksonville offered Mack a five-year contract, worth $42 million. Cleveland matched the offer sheet.
Mack suffered a broken fibula on Oct. 12, 2014 and missed the rest of the season.
Mack’s deal would make him the top paid center in the league. Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey signed a six-year $45.89 million deal that included a $13 million signing bonus in 2014.
The Falcons have several needs in free agency, but have placed a premium on fortifying the interior of the offensive line. Mack has played one season in the team’s offensive attack under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who was in Cleveland in 2014.
“It’s definitely something that’s at the center of our thinking, in terms of whether if it be free agency or the draft,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said at the combine. “That line of scrimmage position for me is going to be something that years from now we’re going to continue to talk about, just to have that much regard and respect for what happens on the line of scrimmage on both sides. So the center position is one for us.”
The Falcons played a round of musical chairs at the center position last season starting three different players in Mike Person, James Stone and Gino Gradkowski. The Falcons had simple problems with the quarterback and center exchange that led to Ryan having 12 fumbles, second-most in the league. Person was credited with four fumbles.
“I was really pleased with Mike in some areas and some I wasn’t,” Quinn said. “Same thing with Gino. Full competition is going to be on at the spot.”
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