The Colts went from exploring a trade of Zaire Franklin to actually executing one just days later.
Indianapolis is trading the outside linebacker to the Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Colby Wooden, according to multiple reports on Saturday.
Franklin, who turns 30 in July, has two years left on the $31,260,000 extension he signed with the Colts before the 2024 season.
On Thursday, ESPN reported that the Colts were looking into the possibility of trading the 2024 Pro Bowler to help get under the salary cap when NFL free agency kicks off next week.
Franklin will have a cap hit of $8.255 million in 2026 before rising to $10.255 in 2027.
The Packers now gain a linebacker in Franklin who has recorded at least 125 tackles in each of the last five seasons.
His standout 2024 included a league-leading 174 tackles with a career-best 3.5 sacks.
His production dipped a bit in 2025, with 125 tackles and two sacks, though he did total six quarterback hits to match a personal best.
Pro Football Focus did not like his campaign, though, and ranked him 37th out of 38th in linebackers.
Star Green Bay edge rusher had a simple response to the news of Franklin becoming his newest teammate.
“Oh shi#,” he wrote on X.
In Wooden, the Colts are getting a 25-year-old Auburn alum coming off his most productive year in the NFL.
In year three, Wooden totaled 50 tackles and started in 16 games, the most in his career.
Wooden has one year left on his rookie contract — making a little over $1 million in 2026 — and will become a free agent after the season.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
