Veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin
bringing an emotional edge to Packers defense
[August 19, 2026]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Zaire Franklin’s involvement in the first
scuffle of Green Bay’s training camp this week came as no surprise
to his new Packers teammates.
Franklin earned a reputation for his ability to irritate opponents
while making the transition from seventh-round draft pick to Pro
Bowl linebacker in eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Now
he’s bringing that personality over to the Packers, who acquired
Franklin in a March trade that sent defensive lineman Colby Wooden
to Indianapolis.
“When I’m on the field, I’m a completely different person,” Franklin
said Tuesday, two days after getting into a brief skirmish with
running back Chris Brooks. “My mentality in between the white lines
is ultra-competitor — like, ultimate alpha. Like I want to challenge
the best, the biggest. I don’t want no little guy. I want to go
against the baddest (guy) out there. That’s how I feel. I feel like
I’m the best. I’m the baddest (guy) on the planet when I’m on the
field.”
The Packers are counting on the 30-year-old Franklin to provide that
attitude to their defense as he steps in for Quay Walker, who led
Green Bay in tackles each of the past four seasons before the Las
Vegas Raiders signed him.
“When we realized that Quay probably wasn’t going to be back in in
Green Bay, I wanted to make sure that we had someone who could step
in and had already done it and played at a high level,” general
manager Brian Gutekunst said. “Certainly, Zaire has done that. And I
also think you know playing that middle linebacker spot, there’s a
bit of a personality and edge you have to have, and I think that can
bleed into your team. He has that, and I’m excited to see if he can
kind of bring some of that to our football team.”
That energy level has been apparent thus far in workouts.
Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon says he wants players with
“high football character” and believes that includes guys who enjoy
practicing. Gannon says he sees that in Franklin.
His teammates have noticed as well.
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Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) runs a drill during
practice at the team's NFL football training camp, July 30, 2026, in
Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)
“He’s a dog,” defensive tackle Javon Hargrave said. “You just know
when he’s out there, he’s going to make some plays and make sure
we’re right. He’ll have the whole defense motivated to go out and
dominate.”
Franklin has an NFL-leading 644 tackles over the past four seasons,
and he earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2024. The Packers hope he can
create more takeaways than they’d been getting from the middle
linebacker spot.
Walker intercepted one pass and recovered one fumble during his
Green Bay tenure, and all three of his forced fumbles came in his
rookie season. Franklin has forced 10 fumbles over the past four
seasons and has three career interceptions.
“It’s called a ‘takeaway,'" Franklin said. “You’ve got to take
something from somebody, you know what I’m saying? So that’s just
the energy. That’s just the mentality. And I think we’ve got the
guys to do that.”
Franklin has extra motivation this year as he adapts to a new team
for the first time in his career.
“These guys have heard who I am, but it’s up to me to prove who I am
every day to them, to this fan base and city and this organization,”
Franklin said. “That’s something I take pride in. That’s something I
take personally.”
NOTES: The Packers claimed defensive end Arden Walker off waivers
from the Minnesota Vikings. ... RB Josh Jacobs returned to practice
Tuesday after missing nearly two weeks with a groin issue. ...
Hargrave (knee), Guard Aaron Banks (knee) and CB Domani Jackson
(core) participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time since the
start of training camp.
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