The Indianapolis Colts have a large to-do list this offseason and might need more salary cap space to reach those goals. In order to bring back QB Daniel Jones and others, it might mean letting go of one of the best defenders in the NFL.
Colts LB Zaire Franklin's days in Indianapolis might be numbered. ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that the Colts are shopping Franklin to teams in hopes of getting under the salary cap before free agency opens on March 11.
A former seventh-round pick in 2018, Franklin has blossomed into one of the most reliable tacklers in the game, leading the NFL with 173 tackles in 2024. He was named to his first Pro Bowl that season and was named by the Associated Press a second-team All-Pro.
Franklin should draw competitive offers on the trade market, which could help the Colts recoup some of the draft capital they surrendered to the New York Jets in the trade deadline deal for Sauce Gardner.
General manager Chris Ballard gave up WR Adonai Mitchell and two first-round picks in the deal for the corner, who only played four games in blue last season.
Moving on from Franklin would save the Colts $5.75 million in cap space, so there is plenty of incentive to get a deal done soon. He signed a three-year, $31 million extension before the 2024 season.
Last season, Franklin racked up 125 total tackles, including seven for a loss. He also added a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and five pass deflections in 2025 while starting all 17 games.
The Colts have a need at linebacker this offseason, so cutting ties with Franklin could allow the position room to fully reset with younger and cheaper talent through the NFL Draft in April.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.