Colts Make Difficult Roster Moves in Offseason

Trades of star players Pittman and Franklin seen as necessary but 'gut-wrenching' by GM

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:51am

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The Indianapolis Colts made some tough decisions this offseason, trading away star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and linebacker Zaire Franklin, moves that Colts general manager Chris Ballard described as 'gut-wrenching' but necessary to get younger on the roster.

Why it matters

The Colts have typically been loyal to their core players under Ballard's leadership, so these trades of popular and productive veterans Pittman and Franklin signal a shift in the team's approach as they look to get younger and infuse new talent.

The details

Ballard acknowledged the difficulty in parting ways with Pittman and Franklin, who had become integral parts of the Colts' culture and identity. However, the GM said the team needs to get younger and make tough decisions to continue improving the roster.

  • The trades occurred during the 2026 NFL offseason.

The players

Chris Ballard

The general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, who has been with the team for a decade and is known for his loyalty to core players.

Michael Pittman Jr.

A star wide receiver for the Colts who was traded away this offseason.

Zaire Franklin

A veteran linebacker for the Colts who was also traded away this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Pitt and Zaire represent our culture and what we want players to stand for, but Chris also said we need to get younger.”

— Chris Ballard, General Manager, Indianapolis Colts

The takeaway

The Colts' difficult decisions to trade away popular veterans Pittman and Franklin signal a shift in the team's approach as they look to get younger and infuse new talent, even if it means parting ways with players who have been integral to the team's culture and identity.