# Zaire Franklin NFL player. Position: **LB**. Team: **GB**. ## Quick Facts - **Position:** LB - **Team:** GB (Green Bay Packers) - **Career:** 2018 7th-round pick out of Syracuse; now 9-year veteran ## 2026 Outlook Zaire Franklin joins the Packers in 2026 as a proven, high-volume tackler reuniting with new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who mentored him in Indianapolis. Franklin made the All-Pro Second Team and Pro Bowl in 2024 after leading the league in tackles, forcing five fumbles, intercepting two passes, and registering 3.5 sacks. His 2025 season was less prolific (one forced fumble, no interceptions, two sacks) as the Colts' defense struggled, but he remains a "career-lows are some guys' career-highs" type player—exactly the kind of veteran leader Green Bay values. Heading into his age-30 season, Franklin brings elite leadership (named a captain in Indianapolis) and will pair with rising-star young linebacker Edgerrin Cooper to lead the Packers' defense under Gannon. The Franklin-Gannon reunion creates a potentially strong defensive interior supporting the team's championship aspirations. (per Packers' Jonathan Gannon, Zaire Franklin reunite in Green Bay to lead defense) The shift to a 3-4 base defense (from 4-3) actually favors Franklin. A 3-4 defense requires only two off-the-ball linebackers versus three in a 4-3, but the Packers will still use their strong linebacker depth—Franklin and Edgerrin Cooper will see significant snaps, with secondary options like Isaiah McDuffie filling the 4-3 looks when Gannon adjusts. Franklin's high tackle count remains likely given his experience and Gannon's system. (per Packers Hint at 3-4 Defense; Here's Depth Chart, Challenges) Franklin's arrival brings stability and veteran leadership following Quay Walker's offseason departure. The Packers' decision to carry an unusually deep linebacker room reflects their philosophy that linebacker depth—combining proven veterans, emerging young talent, and special-teams contributors—is critical for championship contention. Franklin serves as the anchor point, allowing younger linebackers like Cooper to develop while providing experienced presence that Gannon values in the center of the defense. (per Will the Packers Go Heavy At Linebacker This Year?) ## Role / Depth Chart Starting linebacker. Will wear the green dot (defense quarterback role). Expected to co-lead the Packers' defense with Edgerrin Cooper. ## Injury Status None reported. ## Recent News - 2026-06-22 — Ranking the NFL's biggest offseason losers: Patriots, Packers facing questions (Ranking the NFL's biggest offseason losers: Patriots, Packers facing questions) - 2026-06-21 — Latest validation highlights area where Packers outperform the NFL (Latest validation highlights area where Packers outperform the NFL) - 2026-06-08 — 2026 Breakout Players: AFC South (2026 Breakout Players: AFC South) - 2026-03-09 — 2026 NFL free agency tracker: Rumors, news, trade buzz, Monday moves (2026 NFL free agency tracker: Rumors, news, trade buzz, Monday moves) - 2026-04-26 — Packers Depth Chart: Projecting a 53-man roster after the 2026 draft (Packers Depth Chart: Projecting a 53-man roster after the 2026 draft) - 2026-05-11 — 2026 NFL rookies: Day 2-3 draft picks with instant impact (2026 NFL rookies: Day 2-3 draft picks with instant impact) - 2026-03-18 — 2026 NFL free agency: Roster moves, questions for 32 teams (2026 NFL free agency: Roster moves, questions for 32 teams) - 2026-06-12 — Issues follow Colts into offseason, into training camp (Issues follow Colts into offseason, into training camp) - 2026-04-25 — Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Grades, fits and scouting reports (Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Grades, fits and scouting reports) - 2026-04-13 — Biggest need for every NFL team ahead of the draft: Multiple NFC teams in search of... (Biggest need for every NFL team ahead of the draft: Multiple NFC teams in search of...) ## Open Questions - Can Franklin maintain tackle and play-making volume at age 30? - How will the Franklin-Cooper partnership develop for the Packers defense? ## Sources --- Source: https://chatffb.com/players/zaire-franklin · ChatFFB — fantasy football answers updated from a live news wiki.