Cincinnati signed Ted Karras to a one-year $5 million deal that will keep him in the jungle through 2026.
Karras signed a three-year $18 million deal in 2022 and since joining the Bengals, Karras has played in 3,514 offensive snaps and has started in 53 games in that span.
He’s also coming off of one of his best seasons in the NFL, Karras played in 1,136 offensive snaps, allowed just two sacks, and recorded a 78.0 pass-blocking grade, which is seventh best among his position according to PFF.
If this is his final years as a Bengal, we could see second-year center Matt Lee take over the starting role as early as 2027, or Cincinnati may find another proven veteran on the market. In 27 snaps on offense, Matt Lee generated a 71.7 pass-blocking grade and a 63.3 run-blocking grade in regular season action in his rookie year last season.
Since joining the team, Karras has been a team captain and managed to do so again this year. Last year, Joe Burrow praised him for his leadership.
“Ted’s a tough, physical player, brings a lot of energy and a leader of the O-line, he brings something to the table that you can’t quite quantify. He’s organizing dinners, having guys to his house, building that team chemistry that’s required. That role is kind of forgotten, but a really important one.”
