Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin is one of the most consistently dominant players at his position across the league, and one of the franchise’s most respected leadership voices. He’s also about to have a front-row seat for one of the league’s most fascinating quarterback battles.
When the Colts signed Daniel Jones early in free agency, the stage was set for a battle for the starting quarterback job between a pair of former top-10 picks in the NFL Draft, and perhaps a last chance for Anthony Richardson to preserve his role as Indianapolis’ quarterback of the future.
Bob DeChiara, Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
In addition to having his pulse of the locker room, Franklin will get to practice against Richardson and Jones this spring and summer. The 28-year-old expects iron to sharpen iron this summer.
“Competition brought out the best in me in my career,” Franklin said. “When I came in, with Darius Leonard, Bobby Okereke, Anthony Walker, E.J. Speed, those guys made me better every single day. I learned so much from their game, and they learned from me. That’s part of the reason why we were so successful because we were able to grow together. So, competition’s going to help everybody. Obviously, I still love Anthony, still believe in Anthony, but I know Daniel Jones is going to help elevate that room, too.”
In a very winnable AFC South, whether it is Jones or Richardson who emerges as the Colts’ starting quarterback this summer, Indianapolis has the pieces in place to make a run at the wide-open division. The competition could also serve as the last chance for both quarterbacks to be viewed as a starting quarterbacks, from here on out.
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