The Green Bay Packers have found their likely replacement for Quay Walker in the middle of the defense in Zaire Franklin.
But, as a result, they lost a player on their defensive line.
The Packers acquired the linebacker Franklin, a former All-Pro, from the Indianapolis Colts in a trade that sent out defensive tackle Colby Wooden.
Wooden became a full-time starter in 2025 after the departure of Kenny Clark before the season. How the defensive line is replenished will be something to monitor as free agency opens next week.
But with Walker expected to walk as an unrestricted free agent after four years in Green Bay, the Packers didn't wait around to find an aggressive new linebacker.
Who is Franklin? Meet the Packers' newest linebacker:
Franklin, a Philadelphia native, is 29 years old. He'll turn 30 on July 2 before training camp begins.
Franklin spent four years at Syracuse playing in the ACC from 2014-17, and was a three-time captain. He earned All-ACC recognition twice.
Before college, Franklin attended an all-male prep school in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania.
Franklin has spent his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts selected Franklin with the 235th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Following a breakout 2023 season, Franklin was voted as the 100th best player in the NFL's annual Top 100 vote via the NFL Network. He continued the momentum as he earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2024.
Franklin was the Colts' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2023.
Franklin is a tackling machine. After posting a career-high 179 combined tackles in 2023 and a Colts single-season franchise record, Franklin led the league in combined tackles in 2024 with 173. He has had over 100 solo tackles in 2022 and 2023.
He’s also been very durable. Franklin has played in 132 of a possible 133 games during his eight-year career. His only missed game came in 2023.
Franklin started all of the Colts' regular-season games the last two years.
In 2024, Franklin showed his versatility all over the field. He had 11 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, six pass deflections, five forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks.
His total tackles dropped in 2025, but the 125 were still tied for 21st most in the NFL.
Franklin has two years left on a $31.3 million contract extension that he signed in 2024.
His base salary will be $6.2 million in 2026 and $8.2 million in 2027, according to the Spotrac contract website.
He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
