The Green Bay Packers are adding a tackling machine to the middle of their defence.
The Packers are acquiring linebacker Zaire Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for defensive tackle Colby Wooden, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday.
Franklin was put on the trade block on Thursday as the Colts looked to shed some salary ahead of free agency.
Franklin, 29, has started all but one game over the last four seasons for the Colts, racking up an absurd 644 tackles over that span. His 173 tackles in 2024 led the league.
The trade figures to spell the end of Quay Walker’s tenure in Green Bay, as Walker is set to be a free agent in the coming days.
Wooden, meanwhile, heads to Indianapolis after receiving the most playing time of his career.
The 25-year-old made just one start over his first two seasons before starting 16 of 17 games last year, where he logged six tackles for loss and three quarterback hits.
The Colts’ two starting defensive tackles, DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, are both entering the final year of their contracts.
