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Colts trade rumor could lead to deal with Bills, Raiders, Broncos or Jets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indianapolis Colts are looking to trade one of their key defenders and the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders could have interest.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Colts are talking to teams about trading linebacker Zaire Franklin in order to help get under the salary cap.
"The Colts are speaking with teams about a trade for their former Pro Bowl LB Zaire Franklin as they look to get under the salary cap by next week, per sources," Schefter reported.
Franklin has two more years left on his $31.2 million contract and is coming off arguably his worst season as a pro.
The former Pro Bowler struggled at just about everything last season, with Franklin posting Pro Football Focus grades of 38.4 overall, 54.9 in run defense, 57.5 in the pass-rush and 29.9 in coverage. Those ranked 87th, 73rd, 62nd and 85th among linebackers in the NFL.
That won't help the Colts' chances of trading Franklin, but he's also just one season removed from a Pro Bowl campaign and it's possible interested parties will think Franklin can turn it around with a change of scenery.
Four teams that could have interest in Franklin, whether that be via trade or free agency if he's cut, are the Bills, Jets, Raiders and Broncos.
The Jets got a disappointing season out of Jamien Sherwood in 2025 and Quincy Williams is a pending free agent, so New York needs help at linebacker.
In Buffalo, Matt Milano is a pending free agent and chances are he won't be back after being plagued by injury the past four seasons. If that turns out to be the case, Buffalo needs to add a starter.
The Broncos have two key linebackers set to hit the open market in Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton, and neither one is guaranteed to be back. If just one of them doesn't return, Denver will need to make an addition.
As for the Raiders, they have four pending free agents at linebacker, including two who played significant snaps last season, Devin White and Elandon Roberts, so Las Vegas might have to make multiple signings at linebacker.
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