Ted Karras

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Salary-cap math on Ted Karras's contract works out to a C+ Contract Value Index given the dead-cap exposure and term. At $6M AAV on a one-year deal for a 33-year-old center, Karras sits squarely in the reliable-starter tier—his B+ performance grade confirms he's delivering above-average production at the position, which justifies the modest outlay without requiring him to be a Pro Bowl-caliber anchor. The center market has inflated significantly for elite prospects, making his $6M annual commitment a reasonable value for a veteran who still earned a 2025 season's worth of snaps across 17 games; the one-year structure also limits organizational downside, which is prudent for a player in his 10th season at age 33. What elevates Karras beyond a purely financial grade is the intangible premium Cincinnati is clearly paying for—his Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nomination and visible role as a locker-room pillar have made him an organizational stabilizer in a way that transcends typical starter expectations, and the media framing reflects confidence that his voice and veteran presence are essential to the team's Super Bowl aspirations under Burrow. The CVI grade of C+ reflects the slight disconnect between his solid-starter on-field contribution and the franchise's clear investment in his leadership capital; while the salary itself is rational for his tier and age, the contract offers minimal upside if his intangible influence wanes, and the lack of guaranteed money provides the Bengals an escape route if 2026 produces decline.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Ted's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Ted Karras is a 10-year NFL veteran and one of the more reliable centers in the AFC, serving as Cincinnati's anchor along a physically demanding offensive line. Earning a B+ grade this season, Karras sits comfortably above replacement level and brings veteran leadership that younger linemen around him clearly benefit from. His profile is that of a steady, chess-piece center — not a Pro Bowl selection, but a genuinely functional starter in a demanding system. His availability stands out immediately: Karras logged a 100.0 snap rate this season, well above the NFL average of 72.0, reflecting his durability and the coaching staff's trust in him. For an offensive lineman pushing 33, staying healthy and on the field every snap is itself a meaningful contribution. The concern, as with most aging interior linemen, is whether athleticism and anchor strength hold up against elite interior pass rushers in the postseason. Karras draws reasonable comparisons to players like Ryan Jensen in his later years — respected, durable veterans who understand protections better than they can physically dominate them. His experience managing pre-snap communication in Joe Burrow's quick-hitting offense remains his most underrated asset. The Bengals lean on that football IQ heavily when the pocket collapses and adjustments must happen instantly. Looking ahead, Karras is squarely in the final chapter of his career, and the Bengals will likely begin evaluating successors entering 2026. If he maintains full availability and continues commanding the line's communication, he finishes as a quietly valuable piece of Cincinnati's offensive rebuild. Watch whether his snap rate dips next season — that would be the first real signal of decline.

How Ted Compares at the Position

Ted Karras ranks 1st of 71 graded centers by performance. Ted grades out ahead of names like Coleman Shelton (B).

Peers ranked by Performance grade among players at the same position. Tap any name for their full profile.

Current Sentiment

Coverage volume around Ted Karras produces a B+ sentiment grade in the current window. The 33-year-old center enters the 2026 offseason as one of Cincinnati's most universally respected figures—a distinction earned not through statistical dominance but through his reputation as an organizational pillar and locker-room leader, anchored by his Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nomination and visible role in facilitating team chemistry discussions. Recent headlines consistently frame him as integral to the Bengals' cultural identity and Super Bowl aspirations, with media coverage zeroing in on his mentorship influence and how teammates like Joe Burrow view his voice in the organization rather than on-field metrics. His B+ performance grade reflects a reliable, above-average starter—exactly what you'd expect from a sixth-round pick who's carved out a 10-year career—meaning the sentiment lift comes almost entirely from his intangible value and character recognition, which have transcended typical starter expectations. With the organization actively building around Burrow and signing defensive depth (Cashius Howell, Tacario Davis, and others over the past month), Karras's steady veteran presence and leadership currency appear to be viewed as essential scaffolding for a contention window, and media perception reflects confidence that his modest $6M annual deal represents genuine organizational stability rather than a sunk cost.