Ex-Colt Zaire Franklin’s message to fans after trade: ‘Thank you for accepting me’

Zaire Franklin Will “Always Love Naptown.”

Those were the last words in the “farewell” letter the veteran Colts linebacker posted on his X account Sunday night, 24 hours after IndyStar confirmed that Franklin had been traded to the Green Bay Packers for young defensive tackle Colby Wooden — a deal that will become official when the new league year begins on Wednesday.

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“Just knowing that whenever I was at my lowest, fans at the store, gourmet shop, or event would always lift my spirits when I needed them with their photos or kind words of support from the Far East to Germany!” Franklin wrote. “Nap, I hope you see me giving my all for this city, and I hope I can continue to win your support until the end.”

IndyStar confirmed Thursday night that the Colts front office is in talks to trade the former seventh-round pick in 2018, who emerged as one of general manager Chris Ballard’s top picks during his nine-year tenure in Indianapolis. The trade will bring young depth to Indianapolis’ defensive line, with Wooden entering the final year of his rookie contract after being an effective run-defensive lineman in his starting season with the Packers.

It’s a chance for a fresh start for Franklin, as new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme doesn’t seem to be a good fit for the 29-year-old, who struggled in pass coverage as part of the team in 2025 and was often outplayed by tight ends and running backs over the middle.

Franklin began his NFL career as an impact player on special teams and became a starter at linebacker in 2022 and served as a team captain. In 2024, Franklin led the NFL in tackles, was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named to the Associated Press All-Pro second team. Lately, Franklin has been viewed both internally and externally as the heart and soul of the Colts defense — telling reporters this year that he intends to take on more of a behind-the-scenes leadership role — while also drawing the ire of people with his scathing remarks and trash talk on various podcast platforms.

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Ballard endorsed both sides of Franklin at the NFL Combine, specifically refusing to commit that the player, who has two seasons left on his contract, would return in 2026 after frequently saying in the offseason that the Colts’ front seven needed to get “younger and faster.”

“I think you all know how I feel about Zaire Franklin,” Ballard said. “We have a really close relationship. I think he’s playing well (this year)… In the future, we’ll see.

“When football is over, Zaire Franklin is going to be a star in anything he decides to do in life. He’s extremely smart. Mentally very strong. Everything you want in a player as far as the look of him goes. Needless to say, Zaire and I have had some discussions about the podcast. Listen, this is what I love: I love that he’s passionate about the next step in his life. Every one of our players, I want that for them, but sometimes, we have to learn to regulate some of the words that come out of our mouths, and that includes me.”

Here’s Franklin’s full message:

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“Colts, I wanted to write you a special farewell letter, it means a lot to me.

“Thank you for accepting me and supporting me and my family during my time in Indy!

“I know I don’t always do or say the right things and I’m sorry for that!

“Just understanding where I’m coming from and knowing that I’ve been a loser my whole life and sometimes (rarely) my scream is louder than my bite.

“Just know that whenever I feel at my lowest, there are always fans in stores, food joints or events who lift my spirits when I need them with their photos or kind words of support from the Far East to Germany!

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“Just to take a break, I hope you see me giving my all to this city and I hope I can continue to win your support until the end.

“My family and I will always love Naptown.”

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts All season long. Get more coverage with IndyStarTV and the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Zaire Franklin trade: Colts LB to fans: ‘Thank you for having me’