One would expect a general manager of an NFL team, when asked if a player under contract will return for the following season, to basically say, "Sure." When Indianapolis Colts GM was recently asked that question about linebacker Zaire Franklin, Ballard answered with an underwhelming, "We'll see."
In other words, Franklin, who is currently signed through 2027, might not be playing in the middle of the Indy defense in 2026. Releasing him would save the team $5,755,000. For a team that could be on the verge of free agency bidding wars for quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce, that nearly $6 million could come in handy.