The Green Bay Packers will have a new-look defense in 2026 in part because they have just made a trade for Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin. To get Franklin, the Packers sent defensive lineman Colby Wooden.
It remains to be seen how effective Green Bay’s defense will be in 2026 with Franklin in the fold, but there’s a reason to feel optimistic about it. Franklin led the NFL in total tackles not too long ago, when he had 173 back in the 2024 NFL campaign. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod that season.
In 2025, he had 125 total tackles to go along with 2.0 sacks, six quarterback hits, and five passes defended. Another positive about the former Syracuse Orange star is his durability. He has played in 17 games in each of the last two seasons. And since entering the league in 2018, he’s missed just one game.
With Micah Parsons likely unavailable by the start of the 2026 campaign, Franklin’s presence on the defensive line can help greatly in softening the impact of his absence.
Packers’ Parsons sends a message for Wooden after a trade
Speaking of Parsons, he had a strong reaction to the departure of Wooden.
“[Expletive]. Crazy league man!! But man the general!! Gonna miss you bro!!” the five-time Pro Bowler Parsons wrote in an Instagram Story post that also included a picture of him celebrating on the field with Wooden.
Via Micah Parsons’ Instagram account
Parsons surely knows what it’s like to be traded. He was involved in one of the biggest ones in recent memory when the Dallas Cowboys sent him to Green Bay in exchange for a couple of future draft picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Colby Wooden (96) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) during the third quarter of their wild card playoff game Sunday, January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Green Bay defeated Dallas 48-32. © Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK
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