Striving for excellence is habitual for Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin.

Indianapolis’ starters played the first two series of its preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. After the Broncos approached midfield on the first drive of the game, Franklin laid the hammer on Broncos running back Javonte Williams for a minimal gain, then dove to break up a pass across the middle intended for Williams to set up third-and-long. With six minutes left in the first quarter, Franklin delivered a blow while running back Samaje Perine juggled the football trying to make the catch, which allowed cornerback Kenny Moore II to make a diving interception and give the offense possession inside Broncos territory.

Franklin has voiced his aspiration to shorten the nine-week NFL offseason program. The voluntary workouts are intended for training, installing the playbook and physical conditioning.

“Just for myself I feel like – experiencing COVID, understanding that we are all professionals,” Franklin said. “That it is up to us to prepare our bodies and be ready to play. Also to be honest with you, understanding that we are really the only sports league they got a midsummer check in. The rest of the – the MLB, the NBA, everybody else, when they get together, it’s time to go.”

Phase One of the offseason training program lasts two weeks with team activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation. Phase Two is conducted over the next three weeks as on-field workouts and drills are permitted. Live contact or 11-on-11 drills are prohibited. Phase Three consists of organized team activities (OTAs) and no live contact is permitted.

“Then honestly, in the last couple years playing 16, now, 17 games, you need that rest and that recovery just to let your body heal from 17 straight weeks of car crashes,” Franklin said. “I just definitely think it’s something that needs to be looked at and talked about moving forward.”

Franklin became the second player in Syracuse history – the first since 1896 – to be a three-time Orange captain. He gained inspiration from Former Syracuse and Colts icon Dwight Freeney, who was inducted into the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 3. Indianapolis selected Franklin in the seventh round with the No. 235 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. Six years later, Franklin was the lone Colt to be named in the NFL’s Top 100 players list, coming in at No. 100.

Franklin set the franchise tackles record in each of the last two seasons, breaking his own record with 179 tackles – including 107 solo tackles – in 2023. Franklin tallied 15 tackles in three games last season, which was tied with Bobby Wagner for the most in the league. His 54 defensive stops ranked 11th among all linebackers last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Colts return 95% of the defensive starts from last season. Indianapolis racked up 94 tackles for loss, 51 sacks and 17 forced fumbles in 2023, which were all fifth-most in the NFL. The Colts 51 sacks were the most sacks the franchise has accumulated in a single-season during the Indianapolis-era.

The 2024 season will be Franklin’s fifth campaign as team captain. His goals this season stretch beyond earning his first Pro Bowl nod. He wants to look back on his career and reminisce of halcyon times in Indianapolis, which includes hosting AFC playoff games inside Lucas Oil Stadium. He wants Colts fans to remember how great the current core players were in their prime. Franklin will continue to bring his notorious dog mentality to anchor the defense.