Zaire Franklin adds much-needed leadership and experience to the Green Bay Packers' defense, and he has made it clear how highly he thinks of Jordan Love.
The Packers made a rare player-for-player trade to land Franklin, sending Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange. Franklin wasn't a free agent and didn't have full control over where he landed, but he has made it clear why he hoped to move to Green Bay.
Jordan Love.
Appearing on NFL Network, Franklin revealed why Love was one of the main reasons why he wanted a trade to the Packers.
"It starts with the quarterback. Jordan Love, I told him, he was the main reason I came to Green Bay. I wasn't going to an organization without a proven franchise QB. He's the type of quarterback you want to be around, a great man in the locker room, competes his a-- off," Franklin said. "It's been a long time since I've seen a QB1 just really raising the level of everybody by his work ethic like that."
"We've got one of the best defensive players on the planet in Micah Parsons. When you've got a quarterback and you've got a pass rush, you've got a chance."
Zaire Franklin said what many analysts are still afraid to admit about Jordan Love
It's still hard to believe how underrated Love is, but players get it. Franklin understands just how good Love is.
Love was a Pro Bowl snub last season, despite posting numbers worthy of making the NFC squad. We've had to listen to embarrassing takes from former head coaches, like Rex Ryan, who said last October that he had "no love for Jordan Love" before doubling down and saying, "I never have."
We've seen Love, who threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns, get blamed for the Packers' first-round playoff exit. Yet Caleb Williams, who threw two interceptions but led a fourth-quarter comeback, received endless praise. Williams had another three picks the following week, by the way.
But Franklin gets it. He sees the world-class talent Love has. It doesn't stop there, either.
As Franklin points out, Love leads by example. The way he carries himself, sets an example for his teammates, and how hard he works all scream franchise quarterback.
And when he steps on the field, the numbers say it all. Last season, Love threw for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in 15 games, earning an elite 101.2 passer rating. Love then dominated the Bears' defense in the playoffs, with four touchdowns, no picks, and a 103.8 rating.
Franklin adds experience to a defense that is poised to reach new heights in 2026, especially once Micah Parsons returns. And Franklin is right, if you have a quarterback and a pass rush, you have a shot.
The Packers have both. Not everyone is ready to admit how good Love is. Franklin understands, and that's one of the main reasons why he'll wear green and gold this season.
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