The Green Bay Packers pulled off a defensive swap just days before free agency kicks off.
General manager Brian Gutekunst sent defensive tackle Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for linebacker Zaire Franklin, per NFL Network reporters Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
MORE: Chiefs bring back veteran specialist on fully guaranteed deal
Wooden handled starting nose tackle duties for Green Bay this past season after the team shipped Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys. Before that, he lined up at the three-technique spot during his earlier stretch with the Packers. His departure leaves a hole at nose tackle, and he’s set to play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
Franklin brings a different kind of resume to the roster. The Syracuse product entered the league as a seventh-round pick in 2018 and racked up 173 tackles in 2024, which led the entire NFL. That season earned him Pro Bowl honors and Second-Team All-Pro recognition.
MORE: Maxx Crosby move could reshape AFC North after Ravens’ aggressive trade
Franklin’s climb did not happen overnight. He started carving out a role on special teams before breaking through as a full-time linebacker in Indianapolis. His production built steadily over the years, 167 tackles in 2022, 179 in 2023, then another 173 in 2024.
This past season saw a drop to 125 tackles, but his presence on the field did not change. Leadership has followed Franklin since his college days at Syracuse, and that reputation stuck around the Colts’ locker room.
He will be 30 years old come July, but linebackers have shown they can stay productive well into their thirties. Green Bay is betting his intangibles will translate right away.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
NFL: 5 most overrated NFL free agents hitting the market in 2026
MLB: What drug did Jurickson Profar take? MLB announces PED use
SPORTS MEDIA: Stephen A. Smith bashes underwhelming NBA star as ‘food addict’
VIRAL: NBC delivers epic nostalgia with ‘Throwback Tuesday’ NBA broadcast
WORLD CUP: Will Iran compete in the 2026 World Cup? Donald Trump weighs in
WNBA: Players, union leaders divided, claims letter from 2-time MVP and 4-time All-Star
The post Packers land All-Pro linebacker in trade with Colts appeared first on The Big Lead.