INDIANAPOLIS — Zaire Franklin says there are no hard feelings after the Colts traded him to the Green Bay Packers this offseason.
The veteran linebacker was dealt in March as Indianapolis continued reshaping its roster.
Franklin recently joined Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport on “The Insiders” on NFL Network, where he praised Colts general manager Chris Ballard for the way the trade was handled.
“Me and Ballard have a great relationship,” Franklin said. “I knew him and my agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were going to meet and talk about … how they saw my future.”
Franklin said he received the news during a ceremony in Philadelphia honoring his community work, stepping away mid-event to take the call.
“Much love to Ballard,” Franklin said. “He kind of gave me and my agent our choice of what opportunity fits us best.”
Ballard had said the Colts needed to get “younger and faster” on defense, a message underscored when Indianapolis drafted Georgia linebacker CJ Allen in the second round as Franklin’s potential replacement.
Franklin was one of two Colts team captains from 2025 to exit the organization this offseason, along with cornerback Kenny Moore. In total, the Colts have traded, released or allowed seven starters to walk in free agency since March.
Franklin, however, is focused on what comes next.
“We handled it with class,” he said. “I went to a first-rate organization in Green Bay with a chance to compete for a Super Bowl this season.”
Jessica Garcete is an IndyStar sports reporter.Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Zaire Franklin addressed his trade from the Colts to the Packers