Free agency doesn't begin for another couple of days, but the Green Bay Packers have already gotten a head start on the chaos.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Packers have traded defensive tackle Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts for Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin.
It's a rare player-for-player trade that immediately fixes a position of need for the Packers. GM Brian Gutekunst has solved one problem before free agency begins, although it creates more urgency to add defensive line reinforcements in the weeks ahead.
Packers trade DT Colby Wooden to Colts for LB Zaire Franklin
It's a simple player-for-player trade with no draft picks involved. Here are the full terms:
Packers receive:
- LB Zaire Franklin
Colts receive:
- DT Colby Wooden
Franklin's arrival almost guarantees Quay Walker will depart when his contract expires this coming week.
Green Bay takes a hit along the defensive line, an area it must address this offseason, but adds an experienced starter to pair with Edgerrin Cooper.
In 2024, Franklin earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL in tackles. However, he struggled for much of this past season, particularly in coverage. He earned a Pro Football Focus coverage grade of just 29.9, ranking 85th among 88 players at the position. His overall grade ranked 87th.
There's some risk for the Packers, although not a huge one, given how Franklin performed last season. They will take on a $5.9 million cap hit.
Franklin offers a ton of experience and has proven he can reach a Pro Bowl level. Across his eight-year NFL career, Franklin has played in 132 games, starting 82. The potential is there for the veteran to form an outstanding 1-2 punch at linebacker alongside Cooper.
What should excite the Packers is how he has developed as a pass-rusher. After registering zero sacks in the first four seasons of his career, Franklin has 10 (along with 19 QB hits and 33 tackles for loss) over the past four years.
Wooden had provided solid play along the defensive line, although he wasn't a game-changer. His departure creates an even bigger void up front, making defensive tackle arguably the Packers' most pressing need as free agency opens, perhaps even more so than cornerback.
The added cap hit means the Packers must clear space to get out of the red by Wednesday, but all in all, it's a low-risk trade. Green Bay is adding a locker room leader, a former Pro Bowler, and an experienced starter at a key position.