Leaving the Patriots as a free agent to join the Dolphins a year ago, Ted Karras started all 16 games as a center and team captain in Miami.
Now, Karras returns to New England’s offensive line on another one-year deal worth between $3 and $4 million to rejoin a line that also recently re-signed its own incumbent starting center and team captain David Andrews. As such, Karras is more than happy to be back with the team that drafted him in the sixth round out of Illinois back in 2016, but isn’t sure exactly what his new role will be in New England.
“Nothing is ever promised in this organization,” Karras said Tuesday in a video call with local reporters. “Got the opportunity with the contract and I’m going to have to earn any role I get. I’m not going to be slated in anywhere. I’m going to have to fight to contribute on this team. And, yes, I’m so happy for David. Great football player, great friend. Deserves everything, he’s earned everything in this league and I’m really excited to play with him, to play next to him and work towards winning as many games as we can.”
Karras actually started 15 games in his final previous season with the Patriots in 2019 when Andrews missed the season due to blood clots in his lungs. Now, he’s back in a projected reserve role, including the possibility of backing up both the guard spots as well.
“I’ll play any position to survive in this league if they’ll give me a job,” the ever-honest Karras said. “So I’m ready play whatever and working hard to be a contributor on this team.”
Karras declared that a return to New England was “coming home.”
“It’s such a great opportunity. I’m so thankful,” Karras said. “I’m very excited to get back to work with a lot of guys that I respect and have long term relationships with. We have a lot of good football players and looking forward to being back in Foxborough.”
An old face, Karras is also a part of the dozen Patriots free agents brought in this offseason to retool the roster that missed the playoffs last fall for the first time since 2008.
“It’s an honor, something I worked towards and glad to be back. We have a lot of serious football players, a lot of talented players and we’re going to have to come together and work our hardest to contribute to winning as many games as possible. So we have a lot of good talent, now it’s time to get going,” Karras concluded.
Or in his case coming, as in “coming home.”