- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,202
- Reaction score
- 59
The Colts are talking to teams about dealing Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin, IndyStar has confirmed with a league source.
The Colts are currently $4 million over the salary cap with quarterback Daniel Jones' transition tag of $37.833 million. They will need to be under the cap when the new league year begins Wednesday.
Trading Franklin, a team captain, would free up $5.755 million and put the Colts under the cap.
Ballard was non-committal of holding onto Franklin when asked at the Combine after saying the team needed to get younger and faster in the front 7 this offseason.
“I think you guys all know my feelings for Zaire Franklin,” Ballard told reporters at the Combine, noting he had had several spirited conversations with his longtime starting linebacker about Franklin’s off-field antics that lately have involved a level of honesty on podcast that has, at times, ruffled feathers.
“Look, here’s what I do like: I love that he’s passionate about what could be next in life. Every one of our players, I want that for them, but sometimes we’ve got to temper some of the words that come out of our mouths – and that includes me too.”
Franklin was a seventh-round pick by the Colts in 2018 and moved into the starting lineup in 2021. He led the NFL in tackles in 2024 with 173, including 11 for loss and 3.5 sacks. Franklin dipped to 125 tackles last season and the Colts struggled against tight ends.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Zaire Franklin trade: Colts talking to teams about trading Pro Bowl linebacker
Continue reading...
The Colts are currently $4 million over the salary cap with quarterback Daniel Jones' transition tag of $37.833 million. They will need to be under the cap when the new league year begins Wednesday.
Trading Franklin, a team captain, would free up $5.755 million and put the Colts under the cap.
Ballard was non-committal of holding onto Franklin when asked at the Combine after saying the team needed to get younger and faster in the front 7 this offseason.
“I think you guys all know my feelings for Zaire Franklin,” Ballard told reporters at the Combine, noting he had had several spirited conversations with his longtime starting linebacker about Franklin’s off-field antics that lately have involved a level of honesty on podcast that has, at times, ruffled feathers.
“Look, here’s what I do like: I love that he’s passionate about what could be next in life. Every one of our players, I want that for them, but sometimes we’ve got to temper some of the words that come out of our mouths – and that includes me too.”
Franklin was a seventh-round pick by the Colts in 2018 and moved into the starting lineup in 2021. He led the NFL in tackles in 2024 with 173, including 11 for loss and 3.5 sacks. Franklin dipped to 125 tackles last season and the Colts struggled against tight ends.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Zaire Franklin trade: Colts talking to teams about trading Pro Bowl linebacker
Continue reading...
