When the Cincinnati Bengals signed center Ted Karras to be the center of Joe Burrow’s offensive line, it immediately became one of the better signings of the Zac Taylor era. Karras has pretty much been an Ironman for the Bengals, missing only one regular-season start, and will enter the 2026 season as the starting center, possibly for the last time.
Ted Karras
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 310 lbs.
- Age: 33 (turns 34 next March)
- College: Illinois
- Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
- Experience: 11 years
Cap Status
Karras signed a one-year extension in June of 2024 that would keep him in Cincinnati through the 2026 season. That extension was worth $6 million and
included $3 million fully guaranteed. His base salary in 2026 is set to be $3.4 million with a workout bonus of $100,000. The overall cap hit of $4.5 million represents 1.49% of the team’s total cap space.
Background
Karras primarily played right guard at Illinois and was the Patriots’ sixth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played both guard and center, but he wasn’t a consistent starter at either position until the 2019 season, when he started 15 games at center.
The Dolphins signed Karras as a free agent to a one-year deal, and he started 16 games for Miami that season before returning to the Patriots on another one-year deal in 2021, where Karras started multiple games at left guard.
The Bengals signed Karras in 2022 to a three-year, $18 million deal, and he has since become one of the most beloved players in the city.
Not only is he one of the NFL’s better centers, but he’s also a strong vocal leader who knows how to bring out the best in his teammates.
“I love him. He’s probably the most competitive guy I’ve ever been against in practice,” Dexter Lawrence said of Karras following a recent training camp practice. “It’s a joy. In practice it’s easy to lose that edge, but he helps you keep it with how much of a pro he is.”
Of course, you have to actually be good for teammates to listen, and Karras is about as good as it gets when it comes to protecting his quarterback at the center position.
Outlook for 2026
Karras has been a consistent force at center for the Bengals since he’s been here, despite consistency issues at both guard positions at times on either side of him. Now, though, the Bengals are entering the 2026 season with the same core five starting offensive linemen as they did the year before, which is a first in Burrow’s career.
With Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims at tackle, and Dylan Fairchild and Dalton Risner at guard, Karras, a team captain, will hopefully lead an offensive line that keeps Burrow clean and opens holes in the running game. If everyone can stay healthy, the sky’s the limit for this offense.
Considering Karras is entering a contract year, and Connor Lew, drafted in 2026, is now on the roster, it’s possible that the end of the Karras era will come when the 2026 season comes to a close. Hopefully Karras, who has won two Super Bowls, helps the Bengals win their first, and then he can ride off into the sunset.
If this is the last ride for Karras, remember him at his best:
