Last season's performance of the Indianapolis Colts' linebackers, particularly Zaire Franklin and Jaylon Carlies, has stirred interest as they prepare for an uncertain upcoming season. Franklin, having established himself, leads a group lacking extensive experience. Carlies, with only 242 career defensive snaps, highlights the inexperience that raises questions about the unit's overall effectiveness. Yet, there's a sense of optimism, with General Manager Chris Ballard hinting at potential breakthroughs.

Franklin's standout abilities were recognized, earning him commendable grades from Pro Football Focus (PFF), while Carlies is seen as a player to watch. Despite the inexperience, both players could play crucial roles as the Colts look to solidify their defense. The coaching staff's ability to develop young talent will be pivotal.

The Indianapolis Colts' linebacker unit has been rated as one of the weakest in the NFL, landing at No. 31 in Pro Football Focus' rankings for the 2025 season. The standout player, Zaire Franklin, has consistently delivered solid performances, but the lack of depth and experience raises concerns. Franklin's identical overall PFF grades of 60.9 over the past two seasons highlight his reliability. However, the competition behind him is relatively inexperienced, with Jaylon Carlies, who only managed 242 snaps in his rookie year, expected to start alongside him. The rest of the roster includes Joe Bachie, Segun Olubi, and Cameron McGrone, who have yet to prove themselves as consistent contributors.

This situation poses significant challenges for the Colts as they aim to improve their defense. The overall inexperience of the unit could play a crucial role in their performance this upcoming season, especially when facing high-caliber offenses. The team must find ways to develop its younger talent quickly to avoid being exploited on the field.

The Indianapolis Colts enter the offseason focused on revamping their linebacker corps, highlighted by Zaire Franklin's standout performance last season where he led the NFL in tackles and made the Pro Bowl. With a new defensive scheme under Lou Anarumo, Franklin is expected to thrive closer to the line of scrimmage, mitigating the coverage issues that plagued him last year. Jaylon Carlies, a promising fifth-round pick, is set to start alongside Franklin and could enhance the defense's coverage capabilities, especially with his safety background.

However, the rest of the linebacker unit remains inexperienced, with Carlies and Joe Bachie holding the majority of the snaps. GM Chris Ballard is optimistic about the team's development track record for linebackers. With Franklin recovering from an injury and Carlies missing time, this offseason will be critical for evaluating the depth and readiness of the remaining linebackers, particularly for special teams roles.

The Indianapolis Colts are currently assessing their linebacker depth as offseason training progresses. With Zaire Franklin and Jaylon Carlies sidelined due to ankle and shoulder surgeries respectively, younger linebackers like Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, and Joe Bachie have been given opportunities to step up. This situation underscores the uncertainty surrounding the linebacker position as the 2025 season approaches. The absence of key players could impact the Colts' defensive strategy, making it vital for the backups to demonstrate their capabilities during practice.

The Indianapolis Colts are poised to leverage their young talent as they aim for a transformative season. Players like Laiatu Latu, Tanor Bortolini, and Jaylon Carlies are anticipated to make significant impacts, helping to reshape the team's dynamics. With a focus on building depth and creating competitive roles, the coaching staff is hopeful that these emerging stars will contribute to a successful campaign. The Colts are counting on this new wave of talent to invigorate their roster and elevate their performance on the field.