Colts Face Tough Roster Decisions

0:00For NFL coverage, this is your March 6 update. The Indianapolis Colts find themselves 4.7 million dollars over the $301.2 million salary cap right now. This comes after they place the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones. They have to get under that cap before the new league year starts on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern time. One way they could free up space involves linebacker Zaire Franklin. He is a multi-year team captain with two years left on his deal, carrying an $8.3 million cap hit in 2026. Trading or releasing him before June 1, would say $5.8 million while only eating $2.5 million in dead money. Colts General Manager Chris Ballard does the direct question about Franklin's future. He praised the player as honest and strong willed, comparing him to former teammate Shaquille Leonard. Ballard made it clear they were preferred to gain draft picks if they move on from him. Franklin has been a standout success story in Ballard's tenure. Drafted in the seventh round out of Syracuse back in 2018,

1:05he grew from special team's player to a full-time linebacker. He earned second team all pro honors in 2024. But his performance dropped off last season under the new defensive coordinator. Opponents targeted him heavily in coverage, completing over 74% of passes for a 111.5 pass rating. The team now faces tight decisions to reshape the roster ahead of free agency. A quick thank you to our sponsor of today's episode. When you need a moment alone, just lay back and listen, S-O-L-L-I, solelypillow.com.