Zaire Franklin
Getty
The Colts are in talks to trade Zaire Franklin
The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly planning to move on from a core defender on the defense.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Colts are in talks to trade linebacker Zaire Franklin to clear cap space. Indy is currently $4.7 million over the cap after the team placed the transition tag on Daniel Jones.
If the Colts were to go through with trading Franklin, the Colts would be under the cap space, with the team saving $5.75 million on the 2026 season if they were to part ways.
Franklin has been one of Indianapolis’ best defenders the last few seasons, having led the team in tackles the last four seasons (644 total tackles). His performances in the 2024 season earned the linebacker a Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro nods.
Schefter did not reveal which teams Indy are in talks with to acquire Zaire Franklin.
Why the Colts Are Moving From Zaire Franklin?
Zaire Franklin
GettyIndianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (right)
Moving on from Zaire Franklin would be a big blow for the Indianapolis Colts defense.
Outside of getting under the salary cap, the Colts plan on getting younger and faster in the defensive front 7.
“The front 7, we’ve had some pretty good players here. Like speed on defense, we gotta get faster on defense and we really have to on the front 7,” Indy general manager Chris Ballard said at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
“We gotta see how free agency works out and then you attack the draft in that way. The draft we think is good on the defensive side of the football especially in the front 7. But it’s a definite area we need to address.”
When the 2026 season starts, Franklin will be 30 years old. The player can still contribute at his older age, but the coaching staff and front office seem to be headed in a different direction.
With Indianapolis placing the transition tag on Daniel Jones, it makes it harder for the team to keep wide receiver Alec Pierce.
The wide receiver recently appeared on the “Up and Adam” show and said that he has “earned the right to explore free agency.”
Spotrac currently projects Pierce to get a four-year, $81 million deal, something the Colts are currently unable to do.
While trading Zaire Franklin will not open up a significant amount in cap space, it is a start for Indianapolis.
Drafting a Linebacker
Jacob Rodriguez
GettyThe Colts could add an All-American to their defense
The Indianapolis Colts do not have a first-round draft pick in the upcoming draft after trading for cornerback Sauce Gardner and will make their first selection with the 47th overall pick.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport predicts Indy will select Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with the 47th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“The priority once Day 2 dawns should be the defense—and the linebacker position is one that needs to be addressed,” Davenport wrote.
“Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez is a bit undersized at 6’1” and 235 pounds. But he was a turnover machine for the Red Raiders in 2025… Pairing Rodriguez with, say, an edge-rusher on Day 2 would be an excellent start to the draft for Colts general manager Chris Ballard.”
Rodriguez won the Mike Butkus Award (the best linebacker in the nation). Despite winning the award, Rodriguez is projected to be a Day 2 selection and could land in the Colts’ lap if everything goes right and if Zaire Franklin is traded.