Patriots lose OL Ted Karras to $18 million deal with Cincinnati

Patriots guard/center Ted Karras is leaving for a 3-year, $18 million free-agent deal with the Bengals, a league source told the Herald.

Karras’ market has expanded each of the past three offseasons, as he’s developed from longtime backup into a solid starter. He’s started 44 games the past three years, two with the Patriots and one in Miami. Karras made 13 starts last season, replacing Michael Onwenu at left guard in October and never looking back.

According to the source, the Pats lowered their initial contract offer of three years for $15 million to a contract worth $13 million. Karras, who turns 29 on Tuesday, wanted to hit the open market after playing out consecutive 1-year deals. He established himself as an above-average center in Miami, where he left in 2020 to return to New England as a starter last offseason.

However, shortly after they reached terms, the Patriots re-signed incumbent starting center David Andrews to a 4-year deal. Karras then opened the 2021 season as the team’s top interior reserve, before taking over for Onwenu. Karras finished as one of the NFL’s better pass-blocking guards, per Pro Football Focus player grades.

Onwenu is now set to replace him in 2022. The Pats also face the possibility of losing starting right tackle Trent Brown, another free agent.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/LGR0KZh