Cory's Corner: Leadership Matters — Especially At Linebacker
The Packers mined an unsung gem, but not just for his production.
The move didn’t dominate national headlines, but the Green Bay Packers may have quietly addressed one of their most important needs with the addition of linebacker Zaire Franklin. And all it cost them was mediocre defensive tackle Colby Wooden.
Franklin arrives in Green Bay after several productive seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, where he developed into one of the league’s most reliable tackling linebackers. But numbers alone don’t tell the full story of why this move makes sense for the Packers. Franklin brings something that doesn’t always show up on stat sheets: leadership.
In Indianapolis, Franklin wore the captain’s patch, a responsibility that speaks volumes about how teammates and coaches viewed him. Being voted a team captain in an NFL locker room is not ceremonial. It reflects trust, accountability, and the respect of players who spend every day in the trenches together.
That leadership may be even more valuable in Green Bay because of the unique makeup of the Packers roster. Over the last three seasons, the Packers have been the youngest team in the NFL. Youth has brought energy and potential, but it also means there are still many players learning how to navigate the week-to-week grind of the league. In that environment, a veteran voice who has worn the captain’s patch can make a significant difference.
Franklin brings exactly that kind of presence.
Leadership matters, particularly at linebacker — the quarterback of the defense. The position requires reading offenses, adjusting alignments, and making sure everyone is in the right place before the snap. Franklin has proven he can handle that responsibility. With the Colts, he frequently set the tone for the defense, combining preparation with an energy that teammates consistently fed off.
And he can back that leader’s patch up with great play. In 2022, he was fourth in the NFL in tackles with 167, in 2023 he was second with 179, in 2024 he led the league with 173 and in 2025 he was 21st with 125. That’s pretty good for a 2018 seventh round pick. And just for comparison, Quay Walker’s high water mark was 128 tackles last year.
For a young Packers defense still growing into its identity, that voice in the middle could be critical. Young players often need someone who can keep the group steady when adversity hits during a game or throughout a season. Franklin has already demonstrated he can fill that role. And he proved it by only missing one game in four years.
His production also stands on its own. Franklin has been among the NFL’s most productive tacklers in recent seasons, a testament to both his instincts and durability. He plays downhill, attacks ball carriers, and rarely comes off the field. For a defense that has needed more physicality in the front seven, that style fits perfectly with what the Packers want to be.
Just as important is Franklin’s reputation in the locker room. By all accounts, he is a player who leads by example — preparing relentlessly, holding teammates accountable, and bringing energy every Sunday. Those are the traits organizations hope to add when they bring in veteran leaders, especially when the roster around them is still developing.
Green Bay has long valued culture as much as talent. From the days of Ray Nitschke to more recent leaders like Clay Matthews, the franchise has thrived when strong personalities anchor the defense. Franklin may not yet have the same name recognition as those Packers legends, but the leadership profile is similar: tough, dependable, and respected.
Of course, no single player fixes a defense overnight. But the Packers didn’t bring Franklin to Green Bay to be a savior. They brought him in to stabilize the middle of the field, guide a young roster, and elevate the players around him.
For a team that has been building with youth for the past several seasons, adding a captain like Franklin may prove to be exactly the kind of move that helps that young talent take the next step.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (15)
Cheezehead72
March 10, 2026 at 06:58 am
Well it looks like he might get many opportunities to tackle the runner as we have little in front of him to stop the ball carrier. He went from 173 tackles in 2024 to 125 tackles in 2025 and that is to make me feel better. Oh and by the way that is only one aspect of his play how about his other responsibilities?
T7Steve
March 10, 2026 at 07:04 am
I'm going to hope for the best. Nothing else a Packer fan can do.
If he was with the new DC previously, maybe he requested they trade for him to help get his D up and running. Don't know if it's a red flag that he wasn't starting in those seasons they were together though.
Don't know what to figure about the comparison to Quay last season because Quay had to sit out a couple games.
egbertsouse
March 10, 2026 at 07:33 am
I’d like to know where he made those tackles, near the LOS or 7 yards downfield like Quay.
stockholder
March 10, 2026 at 07:29 am
A perfect alignment of circumstances.
What a sell job Cory.
If Cooper goes down, so will this Defense.
Enough of the dabbles, but won't excel.
It's not how super -bowls are won.
As you and I both remember Ray Nitchke.
Gute got his contract re-newed.
But he's still in the dark when it comes to ILB.,
and the Defensive Line.
And with the recent trade of Gary.
We now have to take a edge player.
Trying to fill the LB room with bottom feeders.
Isn't going to make believers of anyone.
greengold
March 10, 2026 at 07:39 am
Great piece, Cory.
I really like the Franklin trade for a number of reasons. We needed better LB play overall next to Edgerrin Cooper. The Packers have been in dire need of a smattering of well placed, high quality veteran additions. Leaders. Zaire Franklin fits that bill.
Add to this we might be seeing that Gutekunst gets it. Sending an underperforming DT out the door… you cracked me up with “mediocre,” tells us he’s finally going to pay more attention to quality iDL play.
Good.
TXCHEESE
March 10, 2026 at 08:04 am
I loved Walker's size and speed, and he was a pretty sure tackler. But when you think of the guy with the green dot, you think of someone not only making the calls, but also exhorting his teammates to focus and strain. I think much of the D's problems last season, is they lost confidence and focus when Micah went down. Walker is a good player, and maybe in the future great, but I never really saw him as a leader.
marpag1
March 10, 2026 at 09:10 am
Leadership is what you talk about (unconvincingly) when the linebacker you brought in misses a huge percentage of tackles and can't cover.
BuckyBadger
March 10, 2026 at 09:30 am
He will be 30 when the season kicks off. He has been a good player on a good defense but when you get over 28 I don't expect improvements anymore, usually the opposite. I get the move, especially after seeing the deal Walker got but don't expect him to improve in the areas he lacks at his age.
Zapato
March 10, 2026 at 09:31 am
Maybe he'll inspire the head coach to be a better leader. (Yeah, I'm still pissed)
lou
March 10, 2026 at 09:39 am
We need Leadership the most when picking Number 1 draft picks. Check out some of the recent return on investments, this is brutal;
Darnell Savage - 7th round compensory pick/with 3 teams last season
Jaire Alexander - no pick/released/out of the league
Eric Stokes - no pick/released
Quay Walker - 5th round compensory pick
Rashan Gary - 4th round pick via trade
The jury is still out on Wayatt and Van Ess -
Plus no compensory pick for 2nd round pick Josh Meyers/signed minimum deal with Jets
Since'61
March 10, 2026 at 10:29 am
While I agree with your point about the ROI on Gute's No. 1 selections to be fair both Alexander and Stokes were injured which essentially ended their careers. You're totally correct on the other picks. Gute's record is not very good with his first round selections. Thanks, Since '61
Dragon5
March 10, 2026 at 11:27 am
Addendum: or the 3rd (exception: Kraft, but nearly negated by Musgrave in 2nd🙄)
25 S. Williams
24 Lloyd & Hopper
23 Kraft
22 Rhyan
21 Rodgers
20 Deguara
19 Sternberger
18 Burks
TXCHEESE
March 10, 2026 at 10:27 am
I'm not saying he's a Bobby Wagner or a Fred Warner, but those two are examples of LB's being very effective still in the later years of their careers. LB is one position where experience, anticipation, and great technique are more important than raw athleticism. I'm willing to trust the personnel guys on this one.
Since'61
March 10, 2026 at 10:58 am
I and many others have been posting here about the lack of on field leadership for the Packers particularly on defense. I agree with Cory that the signing of experienced players like Franklin and Juste will hopefully bring some on field leadership to the defense. Having the youngest team in the league is a nice to have but the Packers need some experienced players who can guide and hopefully provide examples of leadership to the the Packers defense.
Neither of these players are HOFers but that doesn't mean that they can't be leaders in the locker room and on the field. I'm hoping these are among the characteristics of both Franklin and Juste that were considered before signing them. I wonder how much input was elicited from DC Gannon before they were signed.
Maybe he advocated for one or both of them. We'll probably never know. In any case, Welcome to the Packers for both. Thanks, Since '61
GreenandBold
March 10, 2026 at 01:46 pm
Time to sign Bobby Boucher !