Colts' Zaire Franklin Reveals Intense 'Hunger and Fight' for 2024
The Indianapolis Colts were on the verge of a playoff berth this season, ultimately falling short as they dropped their Week 18 tilt to the Houston Texans.
Regardless of what you think about the infamous fourth-and-one play that sealed the Colts' fate, the loss was a tough one for players and coaches alike. While many on the outside did not believe the Colts could make it that far, those inside the building had confidence they could make some noise in the postseason. To come so close only to fail to get the job done will take some time to get over.
"I'm still hurting to be honest with you," linebacker Zaire Franklin said this week. "So, I'm not feeling too good about everything right now."
Franklin was a bright spot for the Colts defense in 2023. He put together another great season, finishing second in the NFL in tackles with 179. Franklin also set the single-season franchise record for tackles for the second straight year. But in his eyes, it was not nearly enough.
"To be honest, I didn't hit many of my goals," Franklin admitted. "The goals that I set for myself, and that was tough. I made some winning plays, was able to help the team win. But, to be honest, goal No.1 was to make the playoffs, start all the games. I know some of those things wasn't necessarily in my control. There's some things I've got to go back to the drawing board myself."
Overall, Franklin finished with 179 tackles, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and six passes defensed on the season. It is a great individual season for a sixth-year player who was a former seventh-round pick and only expected to contribute on special teams. Instead, Franklin has established himself as a tackling machine and one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL.
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) pumps up the crowd in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
However, Franklin is not satisfied yet. He knows there is more that he can accomplish, more that he can do to help this team be successful. The linebacker wants to take the next step and be considered amongst the league's elite.
"I feel like there's another step that I need to take," Franklin revealed. "There's another level that I can tap into. Like I said last year, my goal honestly wasn't the franchise (record) but the NFL record (for tackles). And I didn't reach that. So for me, it's just getting back to that drawing board, continue to push myself to be the best player, teammate, friend, leader that I possibly could be and be better for the team next year."
So, what is the next step for Franklin to take in his NFL career? He has stepped up his game to new levels each season. His stats show Franklin deserves to be in the conversation for Pro Bowls and All-Pro nods.
Franklin is also the undisputed leader of the Colts' defense and one of the top leaders on the team. Franklin breaks the team down before games and serves as one of the most influential voices in the locker room.
But the fact is, Franklin is still searching for his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection. He has only tasted the playoffs twice in his NFL career, with the lone win coming as a rookie in 2018. To help the Colts not only reach the postseason next year but win games in the postseason, Franklin has to continue fighting and take his game to another level.
"For me, it's those game-changing plays," Franklin explained when asked what he needs to improve on. "It's funny, me and (E.J.) Speed had a conversation one time, and I just explained it to him, 'No matter what level of success that you achieve, you're always fighting for the next thing.' That's just the fight of life. That's the fight of the career, that path that we're in.
"You're always fighting for something, and I think for me, now that I have cemented myself as one of the best, why not try to be No.1? Why not try to change games? Why not try to be a guy that wreaks havoc every time to have your way?"
Franklin has always pushed himself for more, overcoming the odds every step of the way to get to this point. As a seventh-round pick in 2018, Franklin was not even a guarantee to make the Colts' roster. But Franklin worked to earn a spot as a special teamer, eventually becoming one of the best on the unit and a special teams captain.
He was not done there, either. Franklin went from a special teamer and backup linebacker to the starter at SAM in 2021. When injuries occurred to Shaquille Leonard or Bobby Okereke, Franklin was ready to answer the bell.
Franklin became a full-time starter at MIKE in 2022, as Leonard dealt with more injuries. And now, after back-to-back record-breaking seasons, Franklin is the top linebacker and leader for the Colts. His hunger and determination to improve every year and consistently add to his game are a major reason he has made it to this point.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
But as Franklin would tell you, the job is not finished for him and this Colts' defense. The Colts made strides on the defensive side of the ball this season, mostly notably with the pass rush generating 51.0 sacks, ranking fifth in the NFL, and setting a single-season franchise record. The unit also forced 24 turnovers, up from 21 a season ago.
Gus Bradley's defense also struggled in a few areas. Indy gave up 24.4 points per game, the fifth-most in the NFL. The Colts also gave up way too many explosive plays with a young secondary that, at times, had trouble with communication. While the Colts can be encouraged by the progress made in some areas, there is still much room for improvement.
"You can’t take for granted just the progress and the steps that we did make this year," Franklin elaborated. "The reality of the situation is we fought hard with it. A lot of ups and downs and adversity this year. I’m proud of what we did, I’m proud of what we went through. I’m proud of this team, proud of this locker room. It’s something to build on for sure, and next year we’ll be back ready better than ever.
"Just seeing what we’re capable of, it inspires you, it gives you motivation to know what could be, but at the same time you’ve got to look at yourself in the mirror and understand that you are what you put on tape and we’ve got to grow from that.”
The Colts will continue to grow from their experience this year. They are one of the youngest teams in the NFL and led by head coach Shane Steichen, who has established a culture of accountability and resilience in the locker room. If they want to join the elite teams in the NFL, it will take everyone continuing to improve from the top of the roster to the bottom.
And that is what Franklin plans to do this offseason, as he has done every year of his NFL career.
"It's a lot of film that I got to get to," Franklin remarked. "It's a lot of self-reflection I got to get to. But just understand that the hunger and the fight is definitely there, for sure."
Do not be shocked if Franklin has another career year in 2024.
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