The change for Zaire Franklin will be immediate. The historic green uniforms of the Green Bay Packers, the 29-year-old’s future home after a trade over the weekend for young defensive tackle Colby Wooden, will take some getting used to after playing his entire career with the Colts, he said Tuesday evening on The Jim Rome Show.
“I would’ve loved to play my entire career in Indianapolis. That’s kinda how I saw it going, to be honest with you, but at the end of the day, I’m thankful for the times we had. I’m thankful for everybody in the building, but you know, it was time to move on,” the veteran linebacker said Tuesday. “I’m thankful I’m going to an organization like Green Bay that has a chance to compete for a divisional title and a championship every year.”
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That’s how so much of Franklin’s 15 minutes on Rome’s show went Tuesday – hints of praise to the team that drafted him in the seventh round in 2018, where he developed from a special teamer to a Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro linebacker, followed by bread crumbs of discontent on how his eight-year saga with the Colts ended.
“It’s one of those things where I just understand,” Franklin said when Rome asked if he felt any bad blood being traded away as a longtime starter and team captain. “I don’t think it was a ‘me’ thing. I don’t think it was a ‘play’ thing, necessarily, from talking to the coaches, talking to (Colts general manager) Chris (Ballard), talking to (Colts principal team owner) Carlie (Irsay-Gordon). It wasn’t a production thing.
“I just understand. When you have a core that’s been together for so long, and you’re unsuccessful, we didn’t win anything, and I feel like, just me being accountable and looking in the mirror, that comes with change. Consistency is earned through success in our league, and I don’t think we necessarily earned it, so I understood that change was going to come and change is necessary. I’ve seen teammates leave Indianapolis and go to Super Bowls several times, and we’ve seen coaches leave and be successful. I just feel like this time was my time.”
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 15: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos talks with Zaire Franklin #44 of the Indianapolis Colts after the game at Empower Field At Mile High on December 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 15: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos talks with Zaire Franklin #44 of the Indianapolis Colts after the game at Empower Field At Mile High on December 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) celebrates a touchdown from the sideline Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) brings down Houston Texans tight end Cade Stover (87) on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts linebackers Zaire Franklin (44) and Austin Ajiake (58) celebrate a quarterback sack Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, against the Arizona Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Oct 20, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) works to bring down Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous/IndyStar USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) works to stop Denver Broncos safety Devon Key (26) on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) breaks a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 21: Zaire Franklin #44 of the Indianapolis Colts tackles Gunnar Helm #84 of the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter Nissan Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) walks up the field Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, during Indianapolis Colts Training Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 14: Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo of the Indianapolis Colts speaks with Zaire Franklin #44 during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (27) on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (2) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Dec 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) celebrates a defensive stop during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) reacts after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) in overtime Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) dances Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, during Indianapolis Colts Training Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) kisses his son, Kairo, on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Colts LB Zaire Franklin through the years
Sep 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) sneaks a peak into the backfield against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
After a pair of standout seasons, though, Franklin’s production took a notable dip in 2025. His tackles dropped from the 173 that led the entire NFL in 2024 and the 173 that set a Colts record in 2023 to 125 in 2025. The 29-year-old’s passes defended (5) and forced fumbles (1) were Franklin’s lowest outputs since he became a starter, and his sacks (2) and tackles for a loss (7) were the second-lowest in the last four years.
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Franklin noted to Rome that the Colts’ 2025 campaign, the first with Lou Anarumo as the team’s defensive coordinator, was the team captain’s first time playing in a “scheme it up, scheme of the week” program. He’s eager, Franklin said, to reunite with new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who spent three seasons (2018-20) in Indianapolis as the Colts’ defensive backs coach before spending two years as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator and three as the head coach in Arizona.
“JG and I, we kinda speak the same language. Obviously, he’s from a system that I had a lot of success in. I’m able to play fast, get to a spot and play with my eyes, make a break to the ball and hit the ball. That’s the type of game I like to play,” Franklin said. “He texted me, and we were going back-and-forth about how we see it and the DNA he’s going to build his defense with.”
Though he may not have been his fully unfiltered self – a trait that Ballard told reporters at the Combine he’d had to discuss with Franklin over the years – Franklin made clear to Rome that he disagreed with the insinuation that Ballard could’ve been referring to him when the GM said the franchise’s front-seven needed to get “younger and faster.”
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The Colts’ starting linebacker core of Franklin and fellow 29-year-old Germaine Pratt were frequently targeted over the middle of the field. Frankin gave up a 103.1 quarterback rating as the nearest defender in pass coverage – the 41st-best among 74 linebackers who made at least 10 starts this season, according to Next Gen Stats.
His opposing completion percentage of .703 as the nearest defender in coverage ranked 29th out of that same group and he gave up 7.7 yards per pass attempt. His 125 tackles were the 20th-most among linebackers.
“I consider myself one of the faster guys on that defense, so I didn’t think he was talking about me,” Franklin said with a chuckle. “I can’t get any younger. I can’t do that, but you know, when I heard that, I mean you know, you take it for what it is.
“Obviously with a disappointing year, changes was going to be made, and you know, unfortunately they looked at us as the changes that had to be made. It’s part of it. Like I said, I don’t take it personal. It’s just business. I know the type of player that I am and what I bring to an organization and what I bring to a locker room, so I was confident in that and knew that even if my days in Indianapolis would end, there would be ample opportunities elsewhere.”
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Rome then asked Franklin how he didn’t take perceived public shots like that personally, and Franklin revealed that the notion he might be dealt this offseason wasn’t the first time that topic had been broached during his career.
“I was a seventh rounder. I had to earn my way onto this roster in my mind every single year, so it was not new,” he said. “And honestly, this was not the first time the Colts tried to get me out the building, so I’m used to earning my keep.
“I’m looking forward to going into a new organization, a new locker room and earning my space, earning their respect and showing them why I am one of the best linebackers in this league.”
Franklin called Packers coach Matt LaFleur “a sharp mind” but perhaps the most praise the veteran linebacker had was for the franchise’s quarterback stability in up-and-coming starter Jordan Love – the late-1st-rounder the Colts opted not to try and move up to take in 2020 just one year after Andrew Luck retired.
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Since Love was drafted, the Colts have had 10 different starting quarterbacks.
“When you’re a player who’s been through what I’ve been through in this league, you want to go somewhere with a quarterback,” Franklin said. “And Jordan Love is definitely the type of QB I want to play with.”
Above all, though, Franklin said he expected the new scenery and people in it to energize him – even moreso playing for, as he described, “an organization that’s historic with a first-class fanbase – maybe the best fans in sports.”
“Knowing the history and the standard they have, it’s a true championship, Super Bowl pedigree and a standard that they hold their whole organization to, and I’m looking forward to not only continuing those traditions but living up to that standard,” he said.
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“I don’t come in with any ego or come in with any prejudice. I’m trying to learn them the same way they’re trying to learn me, and I feel like the only way we’re going to win is to win together, so I’m just gonna try to bring everybody together.”
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Zaire Franklin opens up on trade from Colts to Packers