One would expect a general manager of an NFL team, when asked if a player under contract will return for the following season, to basically say, "Sure." When Indianapolis Colts GM was recently asked that question about linebacker Zaire Franklin, Ballard answered with an underwhelming, "We'll see."
In other words, Franklin, who is currently signed through 2027, might not be playing in the middle of the Indy defense in 2026. Releasing him would save the team $5,755,000. For a team that could be on the verge of free agency bidding wars for quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce, that nearly $6 million could come in handy.
Speaking with 107.5 The Fan's morning show, Ballard elaborated on Franklin, saying, "Love Zaire. My relationship with him, he's very honest, and he's very strong-willed...We'll see how it plays out. I'll say this, when football's over, Zaire Franklin is going to be a star in whatever he decides to do in life."
Chris Ballard hints that Zaire Franklin might be close to done with the Indianapolis Colts
Franklin does have a podcast, of course, and a good one. What Ballard's words seem to imply is that maybe it isn't the team that is thinking of moving on from the player, but the player moving on from the team. The GM also indicated that Franklin has a view for his life after football, which he should, so maybe he is already wanting to start that.
Possibly, Franklin has been brutally honest with Ballard about the team's lack of success. Indy hasn't made the postseason since 2020, and the linebacker might be saving his public thoughts about the organization until he retires, whenever that is.
Little doubt exists that Chris Ballard's offering a soft "we'll see" on Franklin returning means something might be afoot. Otherwise, a solid "of course" might have been more correct, and for fans of the players, hopeful.
The biggest question is whether Indianapolis would be better without Zaire Franklin? He has been a full-time starter since midway through 2021, and he led the NFL in tackles with 173 in 2024.
While he makes a lot of tackles, he misses his share for an inside linebacker, too. In 2025, he whiffed on 13.9 percent of his tackle attempts, too high a number for a player at his position. He's also horrible in coverage, and he will be 30 years old when the 2026 season begins.
As Chris Ballard has said multiple times this offseason already, the Indianapolis Colts need to get faster and more athletic in their defensive front seven. If Ballard truly believes that, releasing Franklin and starting over at off-ball linebacker is a must.