Offensive lineman Ted Karras played his way into a nice new contract with his strong 2021 season, but it won't be with the Patriots.
Karras has agreed to a three-year, $18 million with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Karras emerged as New England's starting left guard last season after returning to the team on a one-year deal. He played all 18 games (including playoffs) and started 14 of them.
Karras, who turns 29 on Tuesday, previously spent four seasons with the Patriots from 2016-19 and won two Super Bowls. He was a backup for most of that time before starting 15 games at center in 2019 in place of an injured David Andrews. Karras also spent one season with the Miami Dolphins in 2020.
Karras now joins a Bengals team that reached the Super Bowl last season, but that had a clear need on the offensive line after struggling to protect star quarterback Joe Burrow during the playoffs.
With Karras gone, the Patriots could turn to Michael Onwenu to take over at left guard. Of course, they could also make other offensive line moves in the days and weeks to come and potentially bump Onwenu to tackle.
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