Bengals extend center Ted Karras' contract through 2026

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CINCINNATI (AP) — Center Ted Karras signed a one-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday worth $5 million that goes through the 2026 season.

“If you look at the history of my career I’m not afraid to be a free agent. I’ve been a free agent many times but I wanted to be a part of the plan here and I know we have big things ahead of us,” Karras said.

The Bengals open the season on Sunday at Cleveland.

Karras signed with the Bengals in 2022 after previous stops in Miami and New England. He has started 53 games with the Bengals and played 99.5% of their offensive snaps.

“The team bonding stuff — I think he and (left tackle) Orlando (Brown Jr.) have both done great jobs on their own creating the team camaraderie that I’ve asked for," coach Zac Taylor said. "His level of play has been really good. He’s one of our hardest practice players, it’s good to reward that.”

Karras is entering his 10th season and anchors a Bengals offensive line that has struggled in keeping quarterback Joe Burrow upright. Burrow was sacked 48 times last season, tied for fourth most in the league.

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