Free agency contact hours begin on Monday at noon EST. The current group of free agents, which includes Grover Stewart and Kenny Moore, has drawn all attention. The Indianapolis Colts took steps to ensure that one of their most important defenders would delay going undrafted.
Ian Rapoport reports that Zaire Franklin, a linebacker, has signed a three-year contract deal with the Colts.
“Before free agency, an extension: The #Colts are signing LB Zaire Franklin to a 3-year, $31.26M extension, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln,” Rapoport stated on X.
Although the terms of Franklin’s deal are yet unknown, he will receive a substantial increase over the $3.4 million he is expected to make in 2024. There shouldn’t be any negative effects from Franklin’s new contract on the Colts’ ability to sign free agents this week.
Franklin was supposed to become a free agent following the 2024 season, having originally agreed to a three-year, $10 million contract in 2022. The Colts took care of business early with their standout linebacker, after sending receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Jonathan Taylor to the wire.
Throughout the first two years of his new contract, Franklin gave the Colts 167 and 179 tackles, respectively. With 179 tackles in the previous season, he was second in the NFL only to the free agency Bobby Wagner.
Free agents can sign new contracts on Wednesday, after the contact period began on Monday. Other important defenders like Stewart and Moore, who may formally start negotiations with other clubs today, will be the focus of the Colts’ priority list.
The Colts are able to re-sign Moore and Stewart while still adding players because they have effectively handled their cap.
They saw to Pittman’s needs. Franklin was looked after by them. For general manager Chris Ballard and the Colts, who will be the next?
