GREEN BAY, Wis. — Confronted with the prospect of foregoing star tackler Quay Walker in unrestricted free agency next week, the Green Bay Packers endeavored to compensate for this by obtaining Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers dispatched defensive lineman Colby Wooden to the Colts in trade for Franklin.
Franklin, 29, retains two years on a three-year, $31.26 million contract expansion he inked with the Colts; however, that agreement no longer includes guaranteed funds. For the current season, Franklin’s foundational salary stands at $6.24 million, supplemented by roster incentives that could elevate his overall compensation for 2026 to $7.005 million. His foundational salary is $8.24 million in 2027, with potential earnings reaching $9.005 million should his contract remain unamended.
Walker, 25, might command approximately $15 million annually in unrestricted free agency. Last offseason, the Packers opted against the fifth-year choice on Walker’s pact, thereby designating him an unrestricted agent upon the commencement of the new league season next week.
Walker, who was a first-round selection in 2022, just completed a personal best season with 128 tackles, notwithstanding his absence from three contests.
“During his tenure with us, he has clearly performed admirably and proven to be an outstanding leader; his departure would be challenging,” Packers’ general manager Brian Gutekunst remarked last month at the NFL scouting combine. “We believe we possess internal personnel capable of stepping up and deputizing should that scenario arise, yet we hold Quay in high regard, and if we can retain him, I would wholly support it.”
Conversely, it seems Franklin is poised to assume Walker’s position, marking the inaugural significant recruitment for the fresh Packers defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, who commenced his tenure this offseason following Jeff Hafley’s departure from Green Bay to take on the head coaching responsibilities for the Dolphins.
Franklin became a Colt in 2018 as a seventh-round selection, ultimately flourishing into a special-teams captain and subsequently, a key defensive figure for the squad. However, the modification in defensive strategy during the previous season may have adversely impacted Franklin.
Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard indicated post-season that a portion of his staff’s off-season endeavors would focus on fielding a “younger and quicker” defense. Franklin, the NFL’s tackles leader in 2024, is largely perceived as a conventional inside linebacker whose strengths lie in downhill play.
The Colts generated over $5 million in salary cap room by divesting Franklin’s agreement, although they will additionally be required to take on Wooden’s foundational salary of $1.145 million.
Wooden, a fourth-round draftee in 2023, attained a full-time starting role for the initial occasion in his professional journey last season. Primarily operating as an interior run stopper, Wooden established a personal best of 50 tackles, encompassing six tackles for a loss.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder furnished input for this dispatch.