The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to trade linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Colby Wooden. The Colts saw the trade as an opportunity to shed some salary cap space as well as a choice to add some depth to the defensive line at a position of need.
Colts Target Bobby Wagner After Zaire Franklin Trade
According to PFSN’s free agency projections, future first ballot Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner could command a one-year contract from the Colts worth $9 million. Entering his 14th season, Wagner is still playing at a very high level.
“The active leader in tackles with exactly 2,000 over his career, Wagner finished fifth in the league with an 89.7 LBi score in 2025 for the Commanders. He had an impressive 162 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 2 interceptions, and 4.5 sacks,” PFSN’s Jacob Infante notes.
With Wagner anchoring the middle and a healthy Sauce Gardner locking down the opponent’s top receiver, any defensive coordinator can sleep easier.
If the Colts do land Wagner in free agency, they are getting a veteran leader on the field, in the locker room, and in the community. Last month at NFL Honors, he was named the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
After his dedication to his community through advocacy for mental health and social justice reform, working with local nonprofits, and participating in NFL initiatives, Wagner established a partnership with Children’s National Hospital to launch the Phenia Mae Fund.
Meanwhile, Franklin appeared in 132 games in a Colts uniform, starting 82. His Pro Bowl campaign came in 2024, after leading the league with 173 tackles.
Frank is an insurance policy for Quay Walker, who Pelissero reported that, “The Packers wanted to keep LB Quay Walker and made several runs at re-signing him before the Zaire Franklin trade. But it now appears the former first-round pick will hit free agency Monday, and he is expected to have a strong market.”
The Colts can move off Franklin’s $7 million cap hit. He is also a great complement to linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who is continuing to get better at the position. Both the Packers and Colts saw a need to improve their respective teams and addressed it through this trade.
As for Wooden, he is a fourth-round pick by the Packers in the 2023 draft, who started 16 games last season for Green Bay. He also registered 50 tackles, including 6 for loss, and 3 hits on the quarterback.
Wooden also has one more year remaining on his rookie deal, which carries a $1.3 million cap hit for the 2026-27 season.
