On Tuesday, linebacker Zaire Franklin took to X and posted a message to Indianapolis Colts fans:
Indy fans!
Listen, I made some mistakes! I let something’s get to me that they shouldn’t and did something things I wish I could take back
But understand my heart was always right! And ima learn and be better because of it !#Fortheshoe
— Zaire Franklin (@ZiggySmalls_) January 7, 2025
There were two occasions this season where Franklin was at the center of the conversation in the media and not because of his play on the field.
Franklin and Pat McAfee had a back-and-forth this season after McAfee criticized the play, leadership, and commitment of this Colts team. Franklin would respond to McAfee’s comments on his podcast ‘The Trenches,’ further adding fuel to the fire.
OH WOWWWWW.. I’m just now seeing this
Today should be fun. pic.twitter.com/a1Gm0LK6Zg
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 22, 2024
Then, in another instance, following the Colts devastating Week 17 loss to the New York Giants, a clip of Franklin–again on his podcast–from earlier in the season resurfaced. EJ Speed, Franklin’s co-host, asked him which team in the NFL he’d like to play more:
Colts captain Zaire Franklin in October, via his “Trenches” podcast:
“I want to play a team I know we’re going to spank like the Giants. …
I’m trying to get my rank up, right around November, December. …
Gimme a 4-11 Giants team.”
Full clip:https://t.co/26aMNOJgJZ pic.twitter.com/d1RwN9DqgN
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) December 30, 2024
“That’s something I shouldn’t have said,” Franklin said later in the week after the loss to the Giants. “We have a rule on the pod that we don’t really speak on teams that we’re going to play in the future. It was a poor choice by me, bad joke in hindsight. I’ve just got to be better with my words going forward.”
On the field for Franklin in 2024 it was another productive year. Not only did he lead his team in tackles, but he led the entire NFL in that category as well. He also had three pass breakups and two interceptions in coverage.
The Colts made a move at defensive coordinator early in the week, parting ways with Gus Bradley. However, as DeForest Buckner discussed recently, it’s not only a new scheme that is going to turn this Colts’ defense around, but a new mindset for the collective unit as well.
