The Green Bay Packers moved fast to acquire Zaire Franklin this offseason, making a trade with the Indianapolis Colts before free agency even began.
At the time, it confirmed Quay Walker would depart. As it turns out, the move for Franklin shouldn't come as a surprise. According to the former Pro Bowl linebacker, it was a trade years in the making.
Appearing on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, Franklin said the Packers had wanted to make a deal for several years.
"Green Bay has been trying to trade for me for like six years," Franklin said. "(GM Brian Gutekunst) said that this is not news. They've been trying to trade for me before I was even starting. Green Bay has been wanting me for a long time."
Another big reason why Franklin wanted to come to Green Bay? New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
"Them getting Gannon, who I was kind of hoping he would come to Indy. I was looking to get back with Gannon anyway, so it just all worked out," Franklin said.
The stars finally aligned for the Packers to trade for Zaire Franklin
Franklin had a say in his trade destination, and he wanted a move to the Packers. Along with the Gannon hire, Franklin also said Jordan Love was a big reason for wanting to play in Green Bay.
His leadership shines through when he speaks, and it's already easy to see why the Packers brought him in. Many have questioned the Packers' lack of experienced voices in the locker room. They've had the youngest team in the NFL for three consecutive seasons, and it showed. Franklin is a true leader and was a captain in Indianapolis.
Franklin spoke about how he is already pushing Edgerrin Cooper to help him reach his All-Pro potential. He is exactly the type of mentor Cooper needs.
It's also fascinating to hear what he said about Gannon. While the hire didn't initially go down too well among Packers fans, in large part due to his tough tenure as a head coach in Arizona, so many players have spoken highly of him.
That includes free-agent addition Javon Hargrave, who said he had his "best years" with Gannon in Philadelphia, which is undeniably true. Hargrave recorded 19 sacks in two seasons in Gannon's system.
Franklin is the latest to heap praise on the Packers' new defensive coordinator, which should offer plenty of encouragement to fans.
The Packers knew they weren't going to re-sign Walker, so they acted fast to land Franklin. He believes the Packers wanted him for six years, and the timing finally made sense for everyone. Green Bay sent Colby Wooden the other way in the deal.
Franklin's veteran leadership is already making an impact. It's becoming easy to see why Gutekunst was so determined to trade for him.
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