Panthers Acquire Linebacker in Trade with Packers

Carolina adds veteran defensive playmaker to bolster Ejiro Evero's unit

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Carolina Panthers have acquired veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin from the Green Bay Packers in a player-for-player trade, sending defensive lineman Colby Wooden the other way. The move comes as the Panthers look to bolster their linebacker corps this offseason under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Why it matters

The Panthers have made upgrading their linebacker unit a priority this offseason, and the addition of Franklin provides them with an experienced and versatile defensive playmaker to pair with rising star Devin Lloyd. The trade also signals the Packers' commitment to their 2022 first-round pick Quay Walker as their long-term answer at the position.

The details

In the trade, the Panthers are acquiring Zaire Franklin, a 26-year-old linebacker who has started 32 games over the past three seasons for the Colts. Franklin is known for his physicality, coverage ability, and knack for making impact plays. The Packers, meanwhile, are sending defensive lineman Colby Wooden the other way, a 2023 fourth-round pick who had a limited role in his rookie season.

  • The trade was completed on March 8, 2026, shortly after the start of the NFL's legal tampering window.

The players

Zaire Franklin

A 26-year-old linebacker who has started 32 games over the past three seasons for the Indianapolis Colts, known for his physicality, coverage ability, and impact plays.

Colby Wooden

A 2023 fourth-round pick by the Packers who had a limited role in his rookie season.

Ejiro Evero

The new defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, tasked with improving the team's linebacker corps.

Devin Lloyd

A rising star linebacker for the Panthers who the team hopes to pair with the newly acquired Zaire Franklin.

Quay Walker

The Packers' 2022 first-round pick at linebacker, who the team is now committed to as their long-term answer at the position.

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What they’re saying

“Zaire Franklin is the kind of tone-setting, physical presence we want in our linebacker room. He's a perfect fit for what Ejiro Evero wants to build on defense.”

— Dan Morgan, General Manager, Carolina Panthers (chatsports.com)

“Quay Walker is our guy at linebacker, and this trade allows us to build around him as the centerpiece of our defense for years to come.”

— Brian Gutekunst, General Manager, Green Bay Packers (chatsports.com)

What’s next

The Panthers will look to integrate Franklin into their defensive scheme quickly, as they aim to build a championship-caliber unit around him and Devin Lloyd. The Packers, meanwhile, will turn their attention to further developing Quay Walker and surrounding him with complementary pieces in the front seven.

The takeaway

This trade represents a strategic move by both teams to address their linebacker needs and shape their defensive identities. The Panthers have added a proven playmaker in Franklin to pair with their rising star Lloyd, while the Packers have doubled down on their commitment to Quay Walker as their long-term answer at the position.