NFL Trade Rumors
Colts LB Zaire Franklin believes that his team was just a couple of bad plays away from making the playoffs and trusts that HC Shane Steichen will put them in a better position and that their defense will correct their mistakes to improve their position this year.
“We were a couple really bad plays away from being a playoff team last year, so with the additions we made this offseason, just that added motivation, competition is all around,” Franklin said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I think coach Shane (Steichen) did a great job this spring of adding competition to every element of the building. I’ve been in the building for a while, this is going on my eighth year with the Colts, and I definitely say this is one of the most hungry locker rooms that we’ve had. Usually when you’ve got a locker room of hungry, talented guys, that usually produces wins.”
“Defensively, we should’ve been better,” Franklin continued. “I feel like if we were a better unit last year, we would’ve been a playoff team. That’s really my biggest focus is making sure I’m doing a good job of not only setting a good example for myself, but for the defense as well. First and foremost, I trust Shane. Shane is somebody I have full trust in, and that’s his decision to make. The guy that he feels is the best to lead that offensive side and help get our team to the promised land, I’m behind him.”
Jaguars DT Maason Smith is entering the second year of his career after being a second-round pick in 2024. Jacksonville HC Liam Coen said they need Smith to “take a huge step” with his development this year.
“He’s a big one for us,” said Coen, via the team’s YouTube. “We need him to take a huge step this year. I think he’s done a great job when you talk about the offseason program, in the weight room, the conditioning, his mentality with the work ethic, and then coming out here and making it hard.”
Coen is confident that all of Smith’s intangibles will translate on the field.
“When you’re 325 pounds and you can move, you’ve got long arms, and he’s got the want to,” Coen said. “I’ve seen that so far and ultimately it’s got to continue to translate and I think he will. I think the coaches have done a great job of getting him going, and he’s dedicated himself to it so far.”
The Texans signed veteran RB Nick Chubb after missing most of the last two years with a torn ACL. DeMeco Ryans said they understand Chubb’s injury history and plan on allowing him to play in 2025 to see if he can bounce back.
“With Nick and the injury history, we understand its history, but we don’t dwell on that,” Ryans said, via Aaron Wilson. *“We’re giving him an opportunity. We’ll see how it turns out for us here...
