Fan favorite Ted Karras wanted to keep it in the family and so did the Bengals when he signed an extension Thursday morning to play center through 2025.
Because of his comfort level with the town and team, he came to the Bengals looking to get something done. The feeling was mutual as the burgeoning Karras family with wife Rachel and two-month-old daughter mulls settling down in Cincinnati.
After inking the deal while wearing his signature "Cincy," hat, it was not lost on Karras that his family and the family of Bengals' ownership have been raised in the NFL. Karras' grandfather and father also have NFL championship rings.
"I'm grateful the Karras family and the Brown family get to keep working together because we've both been in the league for a long time," said Karras, on his way out to the last practice of mandatory minicamp.
"It's the first time we've come together and been on the same team. I love what they're doing. The ultimate goal is to get it done. I want to get it done for Mr. Brown and the Brown family and we have the guys to do it."
The bubbly Karras, 31, has emerged as one of Cincinnati's most popular players on and off the field after signing a three-year deal two months after the Bengals' Super Bowl appearance. He's started all 33 games since while earning the team's nomination for last year's NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Karras' ability to solidify the middle in protecting quarterback Joe Burrow mirrors what he's done in the community, where his wildly popular Cincy Hat project has taken off in a $1 million venture raising money for the Village of Merici.
The Village provides housing for adults with intellectual and developmental challenges in his hometown of Indianapolis, a concept he's expanding into his adopted hometown. Karras has teamed with Bengals Ring of Honor member Ken Anderson in an effort to bring similar amenities to Cincinnati. On Friday night, the Cincy Hat and the Ken Anderson Alliance are staging a dinner for the cause.
"I couldn't have asked for a better city to welcome me," Karras said. "With the Cincy Hats, I feel it. And I think we all feel it as a team. We owe it to this town, we owe it to this organization to go out there and get it done."
In all facets of acquisition, the Bengals keep doing what they've been doing since reaching Super Bowl LVI two years ago and shored up their offensive line. On Thursday, Karras checked in with a line boasting two new right tackles in 10-year vet Trent Brown and first-round pick Amarius Mims.
"He's a glue guy for sure," said Sam Hubbard, the left end who has played more Bengals games than anyone on the roster. "Communication. Intensity. Excellent leader. He brings everybody together on the same page."
The signing of Karras and Tampa Bay right guard Alex Cappa on the first day of free agency two months after the Bengals' Super Bowl appearance started the O-line renovation.
A month after that in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bengals selected in the fourth round North Dakota State left Cordell Volson, a first-day starter. Volson lines up next to four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., the richest Bengals free agent ever when he signed a $64 million deal before the 2023 season.
