Packers Trade for Vet Linebacker, Franklin

0:00Welcome to NFL News Today, two minutes of updates that matter to NFL fans. Hit subscribe and stay connected. The Green Bay Packers are trading for veteran linebackers Zaire Franklin from the Indian apolis Colts. In return, the Colts get defensive tackle Colby Wooden from Green Bay. The deal won't be official until the new league year starts. But it's a big move as the Packers kick off their 2026 offseason. His trade signals the end of the row for Packers linebacker Kway Walker. Team insiders say Green Bay expects him to hit free agency next week after failed contract talks. Instead of chasing the linebacker market, they grab Franklin, a proven bet with nearly 5,000 NFL snaps and four straight seasons of over. 100 tackles. Fans and analysts see this shaking up the Packers defense. It highlights a huge gap in nose tackle after Wooden's exit, especially with a potential shift to a 3-4 front. It's not the usual Packer style. Trading a young rookie contract guy for a soon-to-be 30-year-old on a pricier deal.

1:04Franklin brings serious durability, missing just one game in recent years and leading the league in tackles last season as a pro-buller. He's athletic for a size but struggled in coverage and had a down year in 2025 per grading stats. Still, he gives Green Bay a starter next to Edger and Cooper with solid backups in place. Like more roster tweaks soon, as this pushes the Packers back over the salary cap, despite Wooden's cheap contract leaving. Restructuring Franklin's two-year deal could help and the draft might fill other holes, but linebacker feels stable for now. The Daily News Now is made possible with support from our sponsor. You know what is better than earbuds in bed? No earbuds at all. S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.