TRZ Ad
2025AFCAFC SouthIndianapolis ColtsNFL

4 Teams Emerge As Potential Suitors For Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl Superstar

2

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Indianapolis Colts logo.
Indianapolis Colts logo. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts come off a 2025 NFL season that started on a high note but ended with them missing the playoffs despite holding the No. 1 seed in the AFC and having an MVP candidate as their starting quarterback.

When Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending injury, the Colts’ season went downhill. They entered the offseason with several questions to answer, starting with Jones’ future. After a series of win-now moves, Indianapolis will try to run it back and challenge for the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, the front office plans to make some cuts to help their salary cap situation. One of them includes parting ways with one of their best defensive players.

4 Teams Emerge As Landing Spots For Zaire Franklin

Zaire Franklin.
Zaire Franklin. Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that the Colts are open to trading Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin in an attempt to get under the salary cap.

“The Colts are speaking with teams about a trade for their former Pro Bowl LB Zaire Franklin as they look to get under the salary cap by next week, per sources. Franklin led the NFL in tackles in 2024,” Schefter reported.

Mike Moraitis of Sporting News mentioned four teams among the potential sweepstakes for Franklin: the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders.

The Jets have a pending free agent in Quincy Williams, while Jamien Sherwood struggled last season. Matt Milano appears to be out of Buffalo, and the Broncos could lose both Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton once free agency starts.

As for the Raiders, they have four pending free agent linebackers, including Devin White and Elandon Roberts.

These four teams could trade for Franklin or wait until the Colts release him to sign him on a veteran minimum. Franklin still has two more years left on the $31.2 million deal he signed with the Colts. He comes off his worst season to date, which could hurt his trade value.

Teams