Zaire Franklin

NFL player. Position: LB. Team: GB.

Quick Facts

Position: LB
Team: GB (Green Bay Packers)
Career: 2018 7th-round pick out of Syracuse; now 9-year veteran

2026 Outlook

Zaire Franklin joins the Packers in 2026 as a proven, high-volume tackler reuniting with new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who mentored him in Indianapolis. Franklin made the All-Pro Second Team and Pro Bowl in 2024 after leading the league in tackles, forcing five fumbles, intercepting two passes, and registering 3.5 sacks. His 2025 season was less prolific (one forced fumble, no interceptions, two sacks) as the Colts' defense struggled, but he remains a "career-lows are some guys' career-highs" type player—exactly the kind of veteran leader Green Bay values. Heading into his age-30 season, Franklin brings elite leadership (named a captain in Indianapolis) and will pair with rising-star young linebacker Edgerrin Cooper to lead the Packers' defense under Gannon. The Franklin-Gannon reunion creates a potentially strong defensive interior supporting the team's championship aspirations. (per Packers' Jonathan Gannon, Zaire Franklin reunite in Green Bay to lead defense)

The shift to a 3-4 base defense (from 4-3) actually favors Franklin. A 3-4 defense requires only two off-the-ball linebackers versus three in a 4-3, but the Packers will still use their strong linebacker depth—Franklin and Edgerrin Cooper will see significant snaps, with secondary options like Isaiah McDuffie filling the 4-3 looks when Gannon adjusts. Franklin's high tackle count remains likely given his experience and Gannon's system. (per Packers Hint at 3-4 Defense; Here's Depth Chart, Challenges)

Role / Depth Chart

Starting linebacker. Will wear the green dot (defense quarterback role). Expected to co-lead the Packers' defense with Edgerrin Cooper.

Injury Status

None reported.

Recent News

2026-06-05 — Ranking the NFL’s Best Defensive Triplets from 32–1 for 2026 (Ranking the NFL’s Best Defensive Triplets from 32–1 for 2026)
2026-03-24 — 2026 NFL draft guide: Biggest roster holes & best team fits after free agency (2026 NFL draft guide: Biggest roster holes & best team fits after free agency)
2026-03-16 — Win-now? Rebuild? What NFL teams’ initial free agency moves revealed - The Athletic (Win-now? Rebuild? What NFL teams’ initial free agency moves revealed - The Athletic)
2026-03-19 — 2026 NFL Free Agency: Where All 32 NFL Teams Stand After the First Wave (2026 NFL Free Agency: Where All 32 NFL Teams Stand After the First Wave)
2026-04-25 — Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Grades, fits and scouting reports (Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Grades, fits and scouting reports)
2026-04-24 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Rounds 2-3 predictions, best available (2026 NFL mock draft: Rounds 2-3 predictions, best available)
2026-03-09 — 2026 NFL free agency tracker: Rumors, news, trade buzz, Monday moves (2026 NFL free agency tracker: Rumors, news, trade buzz, Monday moves)
2026-04-22 — Green Bay Packers position-by-position roster preview of 2026 NFL draft (Green Bay Packers position-by-position roster preview of 2026 NFL draft)
2026-04-07 — NFC Coaching Changes: How the 5 New Defensive Coordinators Will Impact IDP Leagues for... (NFC Coaching Changes: How the 5 New Defensive Coordinators Will Impact IDP Leagues for...)
2026-03-02 — 2026 NFL free agency: Best players available on defense (2026 NFL free agency: Best players available on defense)

Open Questions

Can Franklin maintain tackle and play-making volume at age 30?
How will the Franklin-Cooper partnership develop for the Packers defense?