More "Ted Time."
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."
View some of the top shots of C Ted Karras.
C Ted Karras celebrates after the Colts-Bengals game in Week 14 of the 2023 season on Sunday, December 10 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64) arrives at the red carpet at the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
C Ted Karras before the Bengals AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Bills in Buffalo, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023.
C Ted Karras holds up a signed Ken Anderson jersey. Ted Karras and Ken Anderson celebrated the partnership of their foundations at The Holy Grail in Cincinnati, Ohio on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
C Ted Karras against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9 at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, November 3, 2024.
C Ted Karras drops off a game ball to The Oak Tavern in Oakley after the Bengals Divisional Round Win over the Bills.
C Ted Karras blocks during the Bengals Week 17 game against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
Center Ted Karras signs items for young fans at Kettering Health Practice Fields on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024
C Ted Karras comes out of the tunnel ahead of the Bengals AFC Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2024.
C Ted Karras works out at Paycor Stadium during offseason training, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and center Ted Karras (64) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, December 9, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
C Ted Karras behind the scenes of the Bengals 2025 schedule release video.
C Ted Karras runs onto the field ahead of the Bengals annual White Bengal game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
C Ted Karras at 2024 Media Dey, Monday, June 10, 2024.
C Ted Karras snaps the ball during the Bengals Stripe the Jungle game at Paycor Stadium against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64) arrives at the red carpet at the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
C Ted Karras prepares to snap the ball during the Bengals AFC Divisional playoff game against the Bills in Buffalo, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023.
C Ted Karras warms up before the Bengals Sunday Night Football game against the Giants in New York, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64) runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, December 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
C Ted Karras signs autographs at Paycor Stadium ahead of the Bengals preseason Week 3 game against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
C Ted Karras walks onto the field before the Bengals Week 18 game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.
Ohio Representatives honored C Ted Karras today for the Cincy Hat project and winning the Nationwide Charity Challenge vote.
QB Joe Burrow, C Ted Karras and OT Orlando Brown serve as captains ahead of the Bengals Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.
C Ted Karras during offseason training at the IEL Practice Facilty on May 1, 2024.
C Ted Karras at 2025 Media Dey, Monday, June 9, 2025.
