The Indianapolis Colts have traded linebacker Zaire Franklin, so what should you expect now, especially with what the team is getting in return?
On Saturday, the Indianapolis Colts traded Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Colby Wooden.
On the surface, this was a cost-cutting move that got the Colts back under the salary cap after they transition-tagged quarterback Daniel Jones earlier in the week. However, there is more at play here.
Here are the immediate implications after the Colts' trade of Franklin.
The Colts are now under the salary cap.
Although the Colts are still trying to work out a multi-year deal with Jones that lets them manipulate the year-to-year cap hits as needed, tagging him was a $37.8 million hit, which put them in the red. Moving Franklin's $7 million for Wooden's $1.3 million put the Colts $154,289 under the cap, which technically makes them compliant ahead of Wednesday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. More cost-saving measures are sure to come, however, if the Colts plan to add or re-sign anybody else.
They are definitely remaking that linebacker group.
The Colts' two primary linebackers in 2025, Franklin and Germaine Pratt, both now appear to be out, as Franklin has already been traded and Pratt is a nearly 30-year-old free agent. The Colts could attempt to re-sign Pratt just to have a reliable hand for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, but an overhaul seems clear. Primary special teamers Segun Olubi and Buddy Johnson are even free agents. In an effort to make the defense younger and faster, the Colts can rely heavily on the 2026 NFL Draft and a group of linebackers loaded with talent.
The defensive line just got more diverse.
In Wooden, the Colts are getting a versatile defensive lineman who can line up inside and outside and has numerous snaps at tackle, nose, and end. At 6'4", 274, the Colts could have him add a little weight to backup DeForest Buckner directly at three-technique, while holding up better when occasionally playing the one-technique. Along with JT Tuimoloau and Adetomiwa Adebawore, the Colts have some versatile linemen and are likely not done adding them.
DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart's usage can be concentrated.
The Colts' starting defensive tackles, Buckner and Grover Stewart, are both entering their age-32 seasons, and Buckner is also coming off neck surgery. Having them rotate in and out of the lineup more often so that they can put more energy into each snap and make every snap count even more is likely the approach the Colts should take in 2026. Wooden and Adebawore give the Colts the flexibility to bring Buckner and Stewart off the field more often. Again, the Colts may not be done adding here, though.