Alex Mack is retiring from the NFL after a 13-year career that saw him emerge as one of the top centers over the past decade, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported Thursday.
Mack won seven Pro Bowl selections and a spot on the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s during his career.
Mack, 36, played his last season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, winning a look at the Pro Bowl. His Bay Area campaign followed seven seasons to begin his career with the Cleveland Browns and five with the Atlanta Falcons thereafter.
A decision on Mack’s future has been one of many uncertainties hovering over the 49ers this offseason, along with Deebo Samuel wanting to be replaced and San Francisco wanting to replace Jimmy Garoppolo. Hanging out on Thursday, however, seemed almost inevitable after Mack and the Niners restructured their contract in a way that, as Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network noted, reminded other players before their official retirement.
Now San Francisco will be looking to replace a Pro Bowl talent who also boasted of veteran leadership and experience.
Just as a Mack decision was made about the Niners, former Browns center JC Tretter has been touted as the best free agent center since his release by Cleveland, so maybe it’s a candidate to join the 49ers’ fold.
Regardless of who replaces Mack, there will be big stains to fill.
Mack became a possible career at the Hall of Fame.
It was a selection from the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft of the Cal Browns that started every game of his rookie season and ended all the games he played during his decorated NFL career. .
In all, Mack started and played in 196 games. He played seven seasons with the Browns and picked up three Pro Bowl positions before moving on to the Falcons. In Atlanta, Mack played for five years and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons with the club.
Prior to the 2021 season, Mack signed a three-year contract with the 49ers, but despite playing at his usual dominant level, he only played one year in San Francisco and has decided to call it a career.