Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Ted Karras has been one of the league’s most underrated centers since joining the team in 2022. He had a strong 2024 campaign, excelling in pass protection but struggling and taking a step back in production in the running game. Karras allowed 23 pressures and two sacks while posting a 78.0 pass-blocking grade, a 54.9 run-blocking grade, and a 64.1 PFF grade across 17 starts.
Cincinnati Bengals’ veteran offensive lineman enters the final year of his deal
Cincinnati Bengals, Duke Tobin
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals general manager Duke Tobin during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ted Karras enters the final year of his contract. He is scheduled to earn a $4.2 million base salary, a $1.5 million prorated signing bonus, a $500,000 per-game bonus, a $100,000 workout bonus, and a $6.3 million cap hit in 2025, according to Over The Cap. Considering Karras is one of the most underrated centers in the league, and he is entering the final year of his contract, it would be logical for the Bengals to extend him now rather than letting him play out the final year of his deal and test the open market.
Cincinnati Bengals secure the underrated center with a short-term extension
Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64) gets set to snap the ball in the second quarter of an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Bengals have secured a very team-friendly short-term extension with Ted Karras. The deal is for one year and is worth $5 million. Karras is now under contract through the 2026 season, and he will turn 34 once he becomes a free agent again in 2027.
It’s a 1-year, $5M extension for Ted Karras. https://t.co/M6lvVxQU1e
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2025
Fans cheer the underrated center’s extension
Cincinnati Bengals vonn bell joe burrow
Cincinnati Bengals fans cheer on the team as they leave the field after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
Great move, solid center secured.
— Dr. Satwinder Singh (@drssinghoffls) September 5, 2025
Smart
— Garage Beer (@drinkgaragebeer) September 5, 2025
The BEST Friday morning news 🔥
Cincinnati loves Teddy K!
— 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@BengalsCaptain) September 5, 2025
tough position to play… nice to see it getting rewarded
— Los The Dog (@LosTheDog) September 5, 2025
Well deserved.
— The wanderer (@thewanderer2020) September 5, 2025
Ted is one of the best. Dude is concrete
— Zox02 (@Oxx020) September 5, 2025
Ted is gonna retire a Bengal!
— Cincy Stripes (@StripesCincy) September 5, 2025
Happy for Ted. Consistency up front matters.
— BIANCHINI (@0xBianchini) September 5, 2025
O line is still brutal
— Homer (@Homermetax) September 5, 2025
There goes those retirement rumors
— obscure bengals (@obscure_bengals) September 5, 2025
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