Green Bay sent defensive tackle Colby Wooden to Indianapolis in exchange for the veteran linebacker, signaling the likely departure of first-round pick Quay Walker in free agency.
The Green Bay Packers moved to address a looming need at linebacker Saturday, acquiring Zaire Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for defensive tackle Colby Wooden, multiple sources confirmed. The trade arrives days before the NFL’s new league year opens March 11 and signals the likely end of Quay Walker’s time in Green Bay.
What the trade means for the Packers
Walker, a first-round pick in 2022, is set to become a free agent when the new league year begins. Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst made multiple attempts to re-sign him but was unable to reach an agreement. Walker is coming off a career-best 128-tackle season and is expected to draw strong interest on the open market, likely commanding around $15 million per year.
With Franklin now in the fold, the Packers have positioned themselves to move on. Franklin will step into a starting role alongside 24-year-old Edgerrin Cooper on the second level of a defense now coordinated by Jonathan Gannon, who was hired this offseason after Jeff Hafley departed to become the Miami Dolphins head coach.
Franklin’s track record
Franklin, who will turn 30 before next season, brings a proven resume to Green Bay. He led the NFL with 173 tackles in 2024, earning second-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection in the best season of his eight-year career. That year he also recorded 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions.
There was some regression last season, though Franklin still finished with 125 tackles and two sacks. His pass coverage is not considered his primary strength, but his durability is difficult to argue with. He has missed just one game in his entire career.
Franklin has two years remaining on his contract. He will carry a base salary of $6.24 million in 2026 with roster bonuses that could bring his total pay to just over $7 million for the season. In 2027 his base salary rises to $8.24 million. None of the remaining money is guaranteed.
What the Colts get back
Wooden, a fourth-round pick out of Auburn in 2023, became a full-time starter for the first time last season. Playing primarily as an interior run defender, he recorded a career-high 50 tackles including six for a loss. His departure further depletes a Packers defensive line already thinned by the trade of Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason in the deal that brought edge rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay.
Indianapolis sheds more than $7 million in salary by offloading Franklin’s contract while adding a starter along the defensive interior. Colts general manager Chris Ballard had indicated after last season that the team’s offseason priority would be getting younger and faster on defense, a shift that did not favor Franklin’s downhill running style.
Cap implications for Green Bay
The trade adds a net of roughly $5.9 million to the Packers‘ cap obligations this season after removing Wooden’s $1.1 million salary from the books. Green Bay restructured safety Xavier McKinney’s contract last week to create additional room and has several options to free up further space before the league year opens, including restructuring other veteran contracts on the roster.
By acquiring Franklin rather than committing to Walker’s projected market value, the Packers preserve resources to address their most pressing remaining needs, which include depth on the defensive line and at cornerback heading into the draft.