The Green Bay Packers did not bring in Zaire Franklin just to fill a roster spot. They acquired him because they wanted experience, leadership, and stability in the middle of their defense. Green Bay moved quickly before free agency opened in March 2026 and sent DT Colby Wooden to the Colts to complete the trade.
The move also revealed a shift in thinking. The Packers have leaned solely on one of the NFL’s youngest rosters in recent years. This time, they added a proven veteran who could control the defense from Day 1.
Green Bay Packers Added More Than Tackles with the Zaire Franklin Trade
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) celebrates a touchdown from the sideline Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The main reason behind the Zaire Franklin move comes down to leadership. Franklin spent years handling defensive communication in Indy and built a strong reputation inside the Colts locker room. Green Bay clearly thinks of him as the right pick for Quay Walker after Walker left in free agency.
Franklin already has experience handling that pressure. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2022, he has averaged 161 tackles per season and rarely leaves the field. In 2024, he earned second-team All-Pro honors after recording 173 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and five forced fumbles for Indy.
Durability also matters, just as experience does. Franklin missed only one game during his eight-year NFL career. For a Packers defense that wants more consistency, that reliability matters.
The link with new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon made the move even stronger. Gannon coached in Indianapolis from 2018 through 2020, while Franklin became a larger part of the defense. Franklin later revealed on the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast in May 2026 that the Packers had tried to trade for him for a long time
“Green Bay has been trying to trade for me for like six years," Franklin said. "(Brian Gutekunst) said that this is not news. They've been trying to trade for me before I was even starting. Green Bay has been wanting me for a long time.”
He also admitted Gannon’s arrival helped convince him the timing was finally right.
Green Bay backed that belief financially as well. The Packers restructured Franklin’s contract to a two-year, $18.01 million deal with a $3.75 million signing bonus and an average salary of about $9 million per year. His 2026 cap hit will be just over $7.1 million, allowing the Packers some wiggle room while still paying a veteran LB.
The contract, the green-dot role, and the leadership responsibilities all point to the same thing. The Packers did not trade for Franklin simply to add depth at linebacker. They brought him in to lead the defense on the field and inside the locker room.
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