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Cincinnati Bengals 3 best offseason additions in 2022

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 26: La"u2019el Collins #71 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to the sidelines during a game against the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Football Team 56-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 26: La"u2019el Collins #71 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to the sidelines during a game against the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Football Team 56-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 19: Ted Karras #67 of the New England Patriots looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 19: Ted Karras #67 of the New England Patriots looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals top offseason pickup no. 2: C/G Ted Karras (New England Patriots)

The defending AFC champions’ problems along the offensive front in 2021 have certainly been well-documented. Quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 51 times in 16 regular-season outings and was dumped an additional 19 times during the club’s four-game postseason run.

Hence, the addition of veteran interior lineman Ted Karras was a great addition to a Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive front that is expected to have three new starters in 2022 via free agency.

And Karras not only figures to be the club’s new starting center, but the versatile performer has also seen action at guard as well. It’s also worth noting that the six-year pro has his share of postseason experience as well.

Via Pro Football Focus, Karras is currently the service’s 16th-ranked guard – two rungs ahead of new teammate Alex Cappa. In 2021, he would up seeing starting duty on both the right and left sides for Bill Belichick’s team.

But the previous two seasons with the Patriots (2019) and Miami Dolphins (2020), he was those club’s primary starting pivot.

Keeping Burrow out of harm’s way is obviously a big priority for head coach Zac Taylor and the offense in general. The 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year managed to complete 70.4 percent of his passes and connected on more than twice as many TD passes (34) as interceptions.

But there’s another aspect to the Cincinnati attack as well, so…

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