Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack's importance to the team was on full display after he went down with a broken leg in Week 6. Prior to Mack's injury, the Browns averaged 4.4 yards per carry, good for 12th in the league. Following Mack's season-ending injury, the average plummeted to 3.2 yards per carry, last place in the NFL.
A plethora of other issues impacted Cleveland's offense, but losing Mack was a key factor. While Mack does have four years remaining on his contract, he still has a way of getting out of Cleveland after next season.
"The biggest question with the line now is not whether Mack will regain his Pro bowl form," ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi wrote. "It is whether the offensive coaching changes after the season will impact Mack's desire to stay. The transition offer sheet Mack signed with Jacksonville in 2014 and matched by the Browns gives Mack the option to opt out of the deal after the 2015 season.
"One of Mack's concerns with returning to the Browns was the constant change in coaches and systems. Now he is dealing with it again. The uncertainty about Mack's future mandates the club to locate a potential replacement. It was unable to find a competent center in his absence."
ESPN Browns reporter Pat McManamon believes Mack will leave the team if significant progress is not made in 2015.
"He has said and done all the right things since the Browns retained him, but if Mack goes through another long and losing season, it's better than a safe bet he'll put himself on the open market - and if he does, he will not have any restrictions as far as the Browns matching the deal. Mack would have to consider that the 2016 offseason provides him his last, best chance for a big payday. Mack has grown into one of the best centers in the game, but he's not known a winning season in Cleveland. His departure could be the fallout if 2015 does not go well."