Offline Media Link connects to media but doesn't save in project (NTFS drives)

Hi all, I'm working on a Mac with PP CC latest version.  I'm taking over a PP project that was originally done on Windows 7 with (4) NTFS formatted drives.  When I plugged those drives into the Mac via (USB) ports, the Mac was able to see them and I was able to find the offline media to relink to.  Here's the issue, it would see the media and even give the (check symbol) that it was found, however, after SAVING the project, closing it and re-opening the project.  It was if I never did any linking, nothing was saved.

Was this an issue of the drives being Window NTFS?  and working on a Mac?

My intention is to work in Mac with those NTFS drives reformated to EXFAT.

Any help appreciated.