Bengals center Ted Karras didn’t know he’s making his 100th NFL start in Sunday’s opener in Cleveland (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s FOX 19), but he did know signing another one-year extension before Friday morning’s offensive line meeting keeps him right where he wants to be.
Which is smack in the middle of quarterback Joe Burrow’s No. 1 passing offense and the Cincinnati community.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do in both,” said Karras after putting his signature down while wearing his signature Cincy Hat. “I’ve been blessed and lucky to be doing it this long and to be now signed for year 11.”
Since he arrived from New England before the 2022 season with a three-year deal, Karras has become a force of nature as one of the more popular Bengals. He hasn’t missed a game in a streak of 50 while his hat venture made him the Bengals’ 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee.
If he keeps it going through 2026, his 84 games would pass Rich Braham’s 83 for the most games played by a Bengals center in the Paycor Stadium era.
“This is where I want to be,” said Karras, who also did an extension before last season. “People here have been so great to me on and off the field, and the goal remains the same. To win a championship.”
Earlier this week, the Bengals’ new starting right guard, Lucas Patrick, a nine-year vet with his fourth team, pointed to the offensive line open house culture Karras has created with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. As Patrick spoke, rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild recalled how Karras put him up in his pool house the week after he was drafted and got him started on the playbook.
“I’m 10 years older than some of these guys,” Karras said. “They’ve done an awesome job. Great gentlemen. I enjoy working with O.B. to help on-board them and get them in the room.”
Karras, 32, a sixth-round pick of the Patriots in 2016, is Midwest all the way. His hometown is Indianapolis, where his dad is the head coach at Marian University, and his alma mater is Illinois. He has no timelines heading into his 10th season.
“I didn’t have any expectations as it unfolded,” Karras said. “I learned how to play at a high level and put my head down and now it’s the start of another season.”
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