Colts LB Zaire Franklin makes his pitch to free agents

USA Today

08-02-2025

On an appearance recently on the Jim Rome Show, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin was asked this question:
Why is Indianapolis a destination where other guys should want to be?
Why Indy?@ZiggySmalls_ makes his pitch to free agents to join him with the Colts. pic.twitter.com/1lvEnuerx0
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 8, 2025
Franklin then provided a few reasons why free agents should be looking to join the Colts.
'First of all, Lou is a well-respected DC in this league. From the Pro Bowl, every single player that I met that played against him, was on the same team as him, even offensive guys from (Joe) Mixon to Ja'Marr (Chase), to all those guys, had extreme respect for Lou and talked about his defensive mind and his ability to put players in positions to succeed.
Anarumo comes to Indianapolis after six seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator, where he was dubbed the 'Mad Scientist.'
Anarumo earned that nickname for operating a versatile and quick to adapt defensive scheme that emphasizes disguising coverages to keep offenses and quarterbacks guessing.
The next point that Franklin made was that each level of the Colts defense, they have Pro Bowl caliber players.
'And then we got Pro Bowlers at this point, playmakers at all three levels,' added Franklin. 'You got myself, DeForest (Buckner), and Kenny Moore. So adding another dynamic playmaker to that mix, whether it's secondary, D-line or linebacker room, it's only going to add to that and help make this an all-time unit.'
There were stretches last season where this Colts' defense played at a pretty high level. The defense's performance in their must-win game against Denver is one example of that and there are others.
However, the season-long issue was a lack of consistency with many of the same problems, like missed tackles and explosive plays, plaguing this unit for much of the year.
Pressure-wise, the Colts didn't get after quarterbacks often enough. Several opposing running backs had big days against Indianapolis and as GM Chris Ballard said after the season, the play in the secondary wasn't good enough.
Lastly, Franklin brought up the offense, specifically Shane Steichen's scheme, which included three Colts receivers all eclipsing the 800-yard receiving mark in 2024.
'Offensively, Shane, everybody that is going to play for him offensively loves his scheme, loves how he gets guys the ball,' Franklin said. 'We got a lot of things going and JT of course.'
Anarumo's more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme can hopefully help with some of the heavy lifting when it comes to the Colts defense improving. But Ballard is going to have to make additions as well, which from the sounds of it, he will be more willing to do as he attempts to bolster the competition on the roster this offseason.
As eluded to, the secondary play has to improve. At linebacker, the Colts need a stronger presence against the pass, which perhaps Jaylon Carlies can provide, and the depth behind Buckner and Grover Stewart has to improve.
On offense, meanwhile, running back depth, a greater presence in the passing game, and competition for Anthony Richardson are all items that could be on Ballard's to-do list.
The Colts will enter the offseason with just over $28 million in available cap space. From a spending power standpoint, that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL at 18th–however, Indianapolis does have the means to create quite a bit more cap space for free agency if needed.