Zaire Franklin Inks New Contract

One of only two three-time captains in Syracuse football history, Zaire Franklin enters his fifth season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 – but now with a new contract.

The linebacker reportedly inked a 3-year, $12 million dollar deal with the organization that selected him in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Franklin, who has been a key contributor on special teams and seen more snaps at linebacker in recent years, is a team captain for the franchise.

When he was first named a captain in 2020 at age 24, he was the 12th-youngest captain in the NFL. 

Franklin is the first notable Orange free agent to sign a contract this offseason. Chandler Jones, one of the most highly sought after targets, will likely command a big pay day as well.

A two-time All-ACC selection at Syracuse, Franklin was a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Man of the Year, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Senior CLASS Award in his senior year at SU. He finished his career ninth in program history with 31.5 tackles for loss, had 311 tackles and started the last 39 games of his collegiate career.

As a seventh-round pick, Franklin’s rise to team captain and a second contract in the NFL beat the odds, but head coach Dino Babers predicted as much after he was drafted on Indianapolis radio:

“The guy is absolutely solid as a rock and there is no way in hell he’s getting cut,” Babers told Dan Dakich on 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis at the time. “If there’s odds in Vegas — let me find out what the odds are — you can’t cut the kid. He’s uncuttable.”

Franklin is 1-of-14 Orange players who are currently on NFL rosters or were last season and are now a free agent. Franklin joins Nolan Cooney (Cardinals), Koda Martin (Cardinals), Chandler Jones (Cardinals – Free Agent), Justin Pugh (Cardinals), Cody Conway (Broncos), Ifeatu Melifonwu (Lions), Andre Cisco (Jaguars), Trill Williams (Dolphins), Trishton Jackson (Vikings), Alton Robinson (Seahawks), Chris Slayton (49ers), Riley Dixon (Giants – Free Agent) and Sterling Hofrichter (Bucaneers).

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