Ted Karras Bio
Theodore John Karras III, born on March 15, 1993, is an American professional football center for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 295 pounds, Karras has built a steady career as a reliable interior lineman since entering the league in 2016. He is widely recognized as a team leader, having been named a captain multiple times with his current franchise.
Drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Karras quickly became a dependable reserve and spot starter, contributing to two Super Bowl championships during his time in New England. After a brief stop with the Miami Dolphins, he returned to the Patriots before signing with the Bengals in 2022, where he has continued to anchor the offensive line and serve in a leadership role.
Early Life and Background
Theodore John Karras III was born on March 15, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois, to Jennifer Karras and Ted Karras Jr. Although born in Chicago, Karras was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended Cathedral High School. At Cathedral, he played football as an offensive lineman for the Fighting Irish Leprechauns and quickly developed into one of the top prep prospects in the state.
During his high school career, Karras helped lead Cathedral to state championships in the 2008 and 2010 seasons. He earned All-State honors during both the 2009 and 2010 seasons and was also named to the Indiana Digest Top 15 selection. Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and ESPN.com, Karras was ranked among ESPN’s Top 25 offensive guard prospects in his class.
Karras graduated from Cathedral in 2011 and received four collegiate scholarship offers, choosing Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, and UCLA. He ultimately committed to Illinois over fifteen total offers, choosing to follow in the footsteps of family members who had also competed in the Big Ten Conference.
Path to American Football
Karras committed to the University of Illinois over fifteen other scholarship offers, citing his top four programs as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, and UCLA. After redshirting the 2011 season, he stepped into the starting lineup as a right guard in 2012 and immediately made an impact, starting all 12 games of his first active season. His early production included a strong performance in a 44-0 victory over Charleston Southern.
His sophomore season in 2013 was briefly interrupted by an ankle injury that caused him to miss the opener against Southern Illinois, but he returned to start 10 games at right guard and earned recognition as part of a significantly improved Illinois offensive line. In 2014, Karras started the first nine games at right guard before a knee injury against Ohio State forced him to miss the final four contests.
As a senior in 2015, Karras served as team captain and started all 12 games at right guard, finishing his college career with 43 total starts. He was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, recognized in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Karras earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 2014 and later pursued a master’s program in recreation, sport, and tourism.
Ted Karras Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
Karras was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round, 221st overall, of the 2016 NFL Draft. He made the 53-man roster out of training camp and was unexpectedly thrust into the starting right guard role in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals due to injuries to Shaq Mason and Jonathan Cooper. After splitting time in Week 2, he returned to a reserve role once Mason reclaimed the starting job, but he remained part of a Patriots team that finished 14-2 and earned the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
In 2017, Karras was released by the Patriots on September 2 and signed to the practice squad the following day before being promoted back to the active roster on September 7. He made his first start of the season in Week 11 at center, filling in for an ill David Andrews. Karras and the Patriots reached Super Bowl LII that season but fell to the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 41-33.
New England Patriots Breakthrough (2016-2019)
Karras was part of the Patriots squad that won Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017, a 34-28 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Although primarily a reserve during his first two seasons, he earned two Super Bowl rings and gained valuable experience within one of the league’s most successful organizations. His work ethic and positional versatility made him a trusted backup on a deep and talented roster.
In 2018, Karras entered the season as a backup guard and center and started two games at right guard in place of an injured Shaq Mason. The Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LIII, where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 to capture another championship. Karras played four special teams snaps in that victory, adding to his growing postseason resume.
The 2019 season marked Karras’s most significant opportunity to that point, as he became the Patriots’ starting center after David Andrews was placed on season-ending injured reserve. He appeared in and started 15 regular season games, proving he could handle a full-time starting role at the professional level.
Miami Dolphins Era (2020)
On March 20, 2020, Karras signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, seeking a starting opportunity. He made the most of that chance, starting all 16 games at center during the 2020 season. His reliable play helped stabilize the Dolphins’ offensive line and reaffirmed his value as a starting-caliber interior lineman.
New England Patriots Second Stint (2021)
On March 19, 2021, Karras signed a one-year contract to return to the New England Patriots. He began the season as a backup guard but was elevated to the starting left guard role in Week 7 following a poor performance by Michael Onwenu. Karras started the remainder of the season, demonstrating his versatility across multiple offensive line positions.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022-Present)
On March 18, 2022, Karras signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, marking the largest opportunity of his career. He was named the starting center and a team captain during the 2022 season, starting all 17 games for the Bengals. Karras reprised both roles in 2023, again starting all 17 games and establishing himself as a foundational piece of the Bengals’ offensive line.
On June 13, 2024, Karras signed a one-year contract extension through the 2025 season, and on September 5, 2025, he signed another one-year extension through the 2026 season. His continued presence has brought stability, leadership, and a winning pedigree to Cincinnati’s front five.
Driving Style and Strengths
Karras is widely regarded as a smart, technician-style center who excels in pass protection and at the line of scrimmage. His football intelligence, leadership, and communication skills allow him to set protections and identify defensive fronts effectively. Coaches and teammates have consistently praised his toughness, durability, and team-first mentality, qualities that have made him a trusted anchor on every roster he has joined.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Karras’s most significant career achievements are his two Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots, earned in Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. He has also recorded 43 collegiate starts at Illinois, multiple team captain designations in the NFL, and full 16- and 17-game starting seasons with both the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals. His continued contract extensions with Cincinnati underscore his standing as a respected veteran leader.
Ted Karras Career Wins
Ted Karras has compiled a winning resume that includes two Super Bowl championships, multiple full-season starting assignments, and recognition as a team captain at both the college and professional levels. While he is not a player defined by statistical accolades, his value has consistently shown up in team success, durability, and the trust of his coaching staffs.
Super Bowl Highlights
Karras was part of the New England Patriots teams that won Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017, and Super Bowl LIII, a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. He contributed on special teams in the latter victory and was part of the active roster throughout both championship runs, establishing himself as a two-time Super Bowl champion by the age of 26.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his Super Bowl appearances, Karras started all 16 games at center for the Miami Dolphins in 2020 and started every game for the Cincinnati Bengals in both 2022 and 2023. He was named a team captain in each of his first two seasons with the Bengals, an honor that reflects his leadership and consistency on and off the field.
Ted Karras Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ted Karras comes from one of the most accomplished football families in NFL history. He is a third-generation NFL player, following his grandfather Ted Karras Sr., and his granduncles Lou Karras and Alex Karras, who all played in the NFL from the 1950s until Alex retired in 1970. His father, Ted Karras Jr., played during the 1987 season, continuing the family’s professional football tradition.
Karras is also the seventh member of his family over three generations to play football in the Big Ten Conference. He attended Saint Matthew Catholic School in Indianapolis alongside several future NFL players, including Nick Martin, Zack Martin, and Cap Boso.
Personal Life
Born to Jennifer Karras and Ted Karras Jr., Ted Karras has remained closely connected to his family and Indianapolis roots. He is well known among teammates and fans as a self-proclaimed superfan and trivia expert on the television series The Office, a personality trait that has made him a popular figure in NFL locker rooms throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Ted Karras remains the starting center and a team captain for the Cincinnati Bengals. Following his September 5, 2025 contract extension through the 2026 season, he continues to serve as the anchor of one of the AFC’s most recognizable offensive lines. His leadership and experience remain central to the Bengals’ efforts to compete in a highly competitive AFC North division.
Karras’s role in 2025 goes beyond snap-to-snap performance, as he is relied upon for his communication, pre-snap recognition, and ability to set protections for the Bengals’ quarterback. His durability, having started every game over recent seasons, provides Cincinnati with rare continuity at the center position. With his contract now secured through 2026, Karras is positioned to remain a foundational piece of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Looking ahead, Karras’s continued presence is expected to bolster the Bengals’ offensive line cohesion and support the team’s broader championship aspirations. His veteran presence in the locker room and his two Super Bowl rings make him an invaluable resource for younger linemen on the roster.