The Indianapolis Colts are actively speaking with teams about a trade for linebacker Zaire Franklin, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
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The former special teamer turned six-time team captain (2020-2025) has spent all nine of his seasons in the NFL with the Colts, racking up a total of 738 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 8 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, and 26 passes defended.
Indianapolis is looking to get cap compliant before the new year begins next week on March 11th, as they currently sit at $4.7m over the cap following the transition tag of quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this week. While this is certainly an immediate move to become cap compliant, moving on from Zaire Franklin may speak more to a schematic fit (or lack thereof) under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Zaire Franklin currently has two years left on his contract, according to Spotrac — a $8.255m cap hit for the 2026-27 season before growing to a $10.255m in the final year of his deal. Trading Franklin would save $5.755m against the cap, while leaving $2.5m in dead money.
Franklin becomes 30-years-old later this summer, but still has plenty of productive ball ahead of him. Leading the league in tackles (173) in the 2024-25 season, Franklin earned Pro Bowl honors to pair with his first All-Pro (2nd Team) nod. He logged 125 tackles, 2 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 5 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble this past season.
The writing has been on the wall, but it’ll be tough to see a homegrown talent like Zaire Franklin go. A former seventh-round pick (235th overall) from the 2018 NFL Draft, Franklin epitomized the overused ‘rags to riches’ saying during his time in Indianapolis. Going from a camp body rookie wearing #97, to leading the NFL in tackles isn’t a coincidence. It may have gotten a little loud toward the end, thanks to podcast mics, but Franklin’s story is a commendable one no matter how you shake it.