The Green Bay Packers have reached an agreement to acquire Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for defensive tackle Colby Wooden, according to a source familiar with the trade confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday. The deal remains under wraps and is expected to be officially announced next week.
Franklin’s Impact and Career Highlights
Zaire Franklin, a multiple-season team captain and former Syracuse standout, has consistently ranked among the NFL’s top tacklers for the past four years. In 2023, he set an Indianapolis Colts franchise single-season record with 179 tackles, followed by an NFL-leading 173 tackles in 2024, which earned him a Pro Bowl selection. Franklin also recorded 167 tackles in 2022, his first complete year as a starter. Despite his tackling prowess, he has made only three interceptions and one fumble recovery throughout his eight-year career. Last season, working under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo for the first time, Franklin appeared in 17 games, finishing with 125 tackles and two sacks, while also hosting a weekly podcast that sometimes drew criticism. Originally a seventh-round draft pick in 2018, he began on special teams before earning a starting spot.
Filling a Key Need for Green Bay
Franklin’s arrival is timely for the Packers, who anticipate losing linebacker Quay Walker to free agency next week. Walker has led Green Bay in tackles in each of his four NFL seasons, including a career-best 128 tackles in 2025, and has recorded 2.5 sacks each of the past three seasons. Franklin is expected to provide solid leadership and maintain the team’s defensive intensity in Walker’s absence.
Indianapolis Colts Receive Young Defensive Tackle Colby Wooden
The Colts, aiming to rejuvenate their front seven by adding younger and faster players, will receive 25-year-old defensive tackle Colby Wooden from Green Bay. A former Auburn star, Wooden started just one game during his first two NFL seasons but became a regular starter last season with 16 starts and amassed 50 tackles, including six tackles for loss. Despite his promising size and presence on the interior line, Wooden has registered just half a sack across three NFL seasons since being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 draft.
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
This trade marks an important shift for both franchises as they seek to enhance their defenses. The Packers are set to replace a leading tackler and team leader in Walker with a proven playmaker in Franklin, while the Colts aim to boost their defensive line’s youth and productivity with Wooden. The move could influence team dynamics and defensive strategies in the upcoming NFL season as both clubs prepare for free agency and roster adjustments.
