The Green Bay Packers acquired a special talent on Saturday in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts.
Zaire Franklin is coming to Green Bay. It's a win for the Packers.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the deal, with defensive tackle Colby Wooden going the other way.
The cost wasn't a ton. The Packers needed a player like Franklin.
MORE:Cowboys show how NFL salary cap is (mostly) fake
Why Zaire Franklin trade is a win for Packers
Franklin is a special individual.
He grew into a powerful leader at Syracuse, then turned from a seventh-round pick and special teams player into a Pro Bowler for the Colts.
He had 167 tackles in 2022, 179 in 2023 and 173 in 2024.
His 2025 season was just a step back, dropping down to 125 tackles, but his effort and leadership is still top notch.
Franklin is the kind of player who makes a locker room better. There are stories of him doing that dating back a decade to college.
He'll turn 30 in July, but linebackers can last a long time in the NFL.
Franklin's instincts are good. His intangibles are good.
He's the kind of player that can lead the Packers' defense to a better place.
To get him in a deal in March is set up to be a nice win for Green Bay.
More NFL news: