Zaire Franklin Signs Three Year Deal to Stay With Indianapolis Colts

The former Orange linebacker has been a key special teams and defensive player for the Colts.

Mike McAllister | Mar 15, 2022

Zaire Franklin Signs Three Year Deal to Stay With Indianapolis Colts /

In this story:

Former Syracuse linebacker Zaire Franklin has signed a three year, $12 million contract to remain with the Indianapolis Colts, according to multiple reports. Franklin was set to enter free agency, but the Colts locked up one of its captains for the next three seasons. Franklin has been a captain for the franchise the last two years.

Originally selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Colts, Franklin has been a critical special teams and rotational defensive player during the last four seasons. He has recorded 94 tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, one interception and three passes defensed during that time. His most productive season was during the 2021 campaign when Franklin had 40 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery with two passes defensed.

Being a captain is nothing new for Franklin as he was one of only two three-time captains in Syracuse football history. Franklin was a two time All-ACC selection during his Orange career, and helped Syracuse upset defending National Champion Clemson in the Carrier Dome in 2017 as one of his career highlights.

Franklin is one of 14 former Syracuse players currently in the NFL and one of two notable free agents. The other is Chandler Jones, who is expected to ink a large deal as one of the league's best pass rushers.

SUPPORT ALL SYRACUSE

SUBSCRIBE TO ALLSYRACUSE.COM NOW TO GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE INSIDER CONTENT

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE ALL SYRACUSE NEWSLETTER TO GET THE LATEST ORANGE UPDATES SENT TO YOUR INBOX

JOIN THE ALL SYRACUSE FORUMS FOR FREE AND DISCUSS THE ORANGE WITH OTHER FANS AND OUR STAFF

Published Mar 15, 2022

MIKE MCALLISTER

Title: Publisher All Syracuse Education: Roberts Wesleyan College Location: Syracuse, New York Expertise: Syracuse basketball, football and recruiting. EXPERIENCE Mike McAllister has been covering Syracuse basketball, football and recruiting for more than a decade. Mike's career started with his own free blog as a way to vent following sporting events. Shortly thereafter, a network of basketball sites called Coast 2 Coast Hoops asked him to run their Syracuse site. That site was called Nation of Orange, and Mike quickly established it as a go-to for Syracuse fans. After running Nation of Orange for several months, a position with the Syracuse site on the Scout network became available. After one year as the recruiting expert with Cuse Nation, he was named the publisher. Mike oversaw the transition from Scout to 247Sports, and ran the site on that network for years. Presented with the opportunity to join one of the biggest names in the sports journalism industry, Sports Illustrated, Mike jumped at the chance. All Syracuse was started from scratch by Mike and the Fan Nation team. It has now become a staple for Orange fans of various sports. Mike has broken news on recruiting, Syracuse basketball and football team information and has established himself as the top recruiting inside in the market. He has appeared on local radio shows, television broadcasts, national radio shows and much more. Mr. McAllister has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Information Management from Roberts Wesleyan College.