Packers LB Zaire Franklin Gets Honest on Chirping With Tucker Kraft

The Green Bay Packers practice on Tuesday got chippy as Tucker Kraft lowered his shoulder into linebacker Zaire Franklin, knocking him back. Kraft and Franklin were then chirping back and forth, bringing back memories of last year when they got into it during a Packers-Colts joint practice. After practice on Tuesday, Franklin spoke about the incident with Kraft. "I felt like that's what the team was missing," Franklin said. "He bring that same energy, that same competitive edge, that same asshole mentality that I feel like I bring on the defense. I think me and Tuck eat breakfast together every morning. We could just decide we gonna fight that day and then we still gonna eat breakfast together the next morning." Franklin's comments are positive, as they show that he and Kraft weren't in a fight but were bringing the edge, competitive energy, and intensity that Green Bay has lacked. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect The Packers acquired Franklin this offseason to replace linebacker Quay Walker, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. In the 2025 season with the Colts, Franklin recorded 125 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass deflections, and a forced fumble. He should be a solid inside linebacker alongside Edgerrin Cooper for Green Bay's defense in the 2026 season. Cooper is coming off a great year, as he recorded 118 total tackles, four tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. The 24-year-old is great at pursuing the ball and making disruptive plays, which should pair well with the veteran, Franklin. The Packers' defense will look different in the 2026 season under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Green Bay will also have to adjust to playing without superstar Micah Parsons early in the season, as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. That will put more pressure on the rest of the defense to play at a high level. While Franklin may not be a star for the Packers, he brings veteran experience, leadership, and a competitive edge that the defense has lacked in recent years.