Ted Karras Embracing 'Exciting' Veteran Mentor Role For Rookie Offensive Linemen

Ted Karras has been through all the stages of a long NFL career. The 11th-year veteran is on the back nine of his pro tenure and is ready to embrace an even bigger mentorship role heading into the 2026 season as Cincinnati welcomes two new young offensive linemen in Connor Lew and Brian Parker II, plus all the other young guys already on the roster.

Karras, 33, talked about the new guys joining the room as Cincinnati wound down another voluntary workout earlier this week.

"I think it's very exciting, gosh. Connor Lew, 20 years old, coming in, so very excited to meet these guys," Karras said to reporters. "I've talked to them both on the phone, and in my time in the NFL, I've always had such great veterans. I've tried to do that here. And so now we've got another crop of young guys to come in and train and mold and hopefully be a big, big part of this organization for a long time."

Youth Embrace

Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64) is introduced before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

It's business as usual for the consummate veteran.

"I've treated a lot of rookies the same," Karras said about his mentality with the rookies. "I think there's obviously context coming in. I think coming off an ACL, I do have experience with that, so I'll be able to navigate some of the pitfalls that come with trying to get back into playing shape and BP (Brian Parker), he grew up about, well, a street over in Indian Hill, so I think his parents moved away now, but I'm really excited to meet these guys. I think there'll be great additions to the room. From what I've gathered so far, they seem like great guys, guys that'll fit the culture right away and can't wait to get our hands on them and get to work."

Karras is basically playing year-to-year with his Bengals contracts right now. He is signed through the rest of this season, but slated to be a free agent in the 2027 offseason.

Alas, all the focus is on right now and bringing home his third career Super Bowl victory.

"I've never relaxed for one second in this league," Karras declared about knowing he has to keep up a certain play-level barometer. "Every time you go in the draft, you have that, so that's part of being an 11-year vet. So always got to fight your ass off."

Cincinnati has its entire 2025 starting offensive line back, including Karras, something very few NFL teams can boast as the 2026 offseason wears on.

That entire group is dialed in to protect Joe Burrow, keep the starting group the same with great reps entering training camp, and dispel the narrative that Cincinnati can't field a good blocking unit.

Check out the full comments from Karras via CLNS Media's Mike Petraglia:

“You always have to fight your ass off.” Starting center Ted Karras on his approach to keeping his spot, has welcomed by phone Connor Lew and Brian Parker II to the Bengals - looks forward to meeting them this week. pic.twitter.com/GWfTNcqsBQ
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) May 5, 2026

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