Cincinnati center Ted Kassas is optimistic about the Bengals after their early offseason moves.
Along with making strong additions in free agency, the team secured star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with new four-year contracts. They also re-signed reliable tight end Mike Gesicki on a three-year deal.
Ted Karras is happy that the Bengals decided to pay their own players
The Bengals, long criticized for being frugal, have shown a willingness to invest in their roster this offseason—something that has Cincinnati center Ted Karras excited about the team’s future.
“We’re keeping our best players in-house,” Karras said on The Pat McAfee Show. “That’s a key strategy for success in the NFL—developing top draft picks into great players and then retaining them. With those three—Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins—we have a serious offense.”
The Bengals secured Chase and Higgins with new deals early in the offseason, avoiding any lingering contract drama. Karras is relieved that potential distractions, such as a holdout from Chase, were avoided.
“I think it’s a huge plus that we’re not dealing with that kind of distraction,” Karras said. “While it might not seem like a big deal in an NFL locker room, it can become one if it builds up.”
With their offensive core locked in, the Bengals now face heightened expectations after missing the playoffs the past two seasons. Karras and his teammates recognize the pressure and are embracing it.
“Not making the playoffs two years in a row puts pressure on us,” Karras acknowledged. “Everyone knows it, and we’re taking it very seriously.”
That pressure extends to quarterback Joe Burrow, who was recently listed among the five quarterbacks facing the most scrutiny to win a Super Bowl. The Bengals must also improve in handling pressure on the field—after allowing 48 sacks in 2024 (tied for seventh-most in the NFL), Karras and the offensive line must step up.
Defensively, Cincinnati also struggled to generate pressure, recording just 36 sacks last season (seventh-fewest in the league). If they hope to return to the postseason, improving in both areas will be critical.
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