Packers brace for Quay Walker's potential exit with trade agreement with Colts

The Green Bay Packers already have Quay Walker's replacement.

On Saturday, ESPN NFL insider reporter Adam Schefter shared that the Packers have agreed to terms on a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, sending defensive tackle Colby Wooden to Indianapolis in exchange for linebacker Zaire Franklin.

The eight-year veteran has spent his entire career with the Colts and was named second-team All-Pro in 2024 when he led the league with 174 tackles. He's made 42 consecutive starts and has only missed one game due to injury in his career. With linebackers Isaiah McDuffie, 26, and Edgerrin Cooper, 24, also under contract for 2026, re-signing Walker, a 2022 first-round pick, is much less of a priority, particularly if he gets a contract worth $15 million annually, as suggested by ESPN Packers reporters Rob Demovsky.

Zaire Franklin trade insulates Packers from effects of likely Quay Walker loss

Per Over The Cap, Green Bay is currently $1.94M above the 2026 salary cap following the Franklin transaction, and while it will be able to free up space via restructures, it's also not in a position to get in a bidding war for Walker.

Cooper, a 2024 second-round pick (No. 45 overall), started 16 games last season and ranked second on the team with 118 tackles. McDuffie, a 2021 sixth-rounder (No. 220 overall), appeared in all 17 games for the second year in a row as a rotational defender and key special-teamer and had 92 tackles and an interception in 807 total snaps.

Walker led the team in tackles (128) in 2025, his fourth consecutive season to start his career with at least 100 tackles.

While he's been a productive player, he'll most likely continue his career elsewhere as the Packers look to get over the hump after back-to-back wild-card exits.

Franklin can play a similar role while providing more veteran leadership and coming with a smaller $7M cap number. That's a win for Green Bay, putting the team in a pretty good spot for one about to lose its former first-round pick for nothing.