Browns' Thomas says Alex Mack will probably opt out after 2015

With Browns center Alex Mack possessing an opt-out clause in his contract after the 2015 season, fellow offensive lineman Joe Thomas said it's not a coincidence Mack has an option to leave the team, reports ESPNCleveland.com.

"I haven't really had any conversations with Alex, but I will say I'm sure there's a reason he put that clause in his contract, because this is going to be an important year for the Browns to prove the things they said to him during the recruiting process, prove they were true," Thomas said. "So I imagine that we're going to have to have a good season, we're going to have to show to Alex that we're moving in the right direction, or I'm sure he'll probably… there's no downside to declaring himself a free agent after this year because worst-case scenario, I guess, he can just resign with the Browns if he wanted. So I wouldn't be surprised if he decides to opt out and become a free agent at the end of the year."

Mack has spent the last the six seasons as the starting center for the Browns. His 2014 season ended after five games when he suffered a broken leg.