Earlier this offseason, the Green Bay Packers struck a rare player-for-player deal with the Indianapolis Colts, trading away defensive tackle Colby Wooden for linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Franklin hasn't even played a regular-season snap in green and gold yet, but the Packers have become the undeniable winners of the trade. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Colts are releasing Wooden ahead of the roster cutdown deadline on Sunday.
Updated trade details: The Packers receive Franklin, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who has already become a leader in the locker room.
The Colts receive absolutely nothing.
Packers' trade for Zaire Franklin looks like an even bigger steal after roster cutdown day
Franklin has been impressive this summer. He's immediately taken on a leadership role in the locker room. He has been involved in some training camp scuffles and is adding real edge to the Packers' defense – one they desperately needed.
And the best part is they were able to acquire the 2024 Pro Bowler without parting with any draft capital.
The Colts' decision to release Wooden is a surprise. According to Lee Vowell of Horseshoe Heroes, the veteran "has had a very good camp."
The reality, though, is that the Packers landed a starting piece for their defense and gave away a backup. Even if Wooden had made the Colts' 53-man roster, he'd have been a backup behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.
Should the Packers consider a reunion with Colby Wooden?
The Packers could truly win the trade by bringing back Wooden, but should they?
It's a possibility, no doubt. Wooden is a solid depth piece. The question is how the roster mathematics would work. Since his departure, the Packers added Javon Hargrave in free agency and Chris McClellan in the draft. Devonte Wyatt is returning from injury. They still have Karl Brooks and second-year Warren Brinson.
Bringing back Wooden would likely require moving on from preseason standout Anthony Campbell, Jonathan Ford, and Nazir Stackhouse. The Packers already have tough decisions to make as they trim their roster to 53 players, but moving on from all three of them seems unrealistic.
But it depends. If the Packers cut those players and fail to bring them back to the practice squad, perhaps the idea of a Wooden reunion would become more appealing.
For the pure comedy of it, though, the Packers should do it. Trading for Franklin while keeping Wooden would be a massive win.
Regardless, the trade for Franklin is already a definitive victory for the Packers. Thanks, Colts.
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