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Colts’ Zaire Franklin anxiously waiting to see CJ Stroud ‘again’ as new rivalry starts to brew in the offseason

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Ishan Misra | Last updated 5/10/24

Indianapolis Colts’ Zaire Franklin never backs down from a fight, whether that’s on the gridiron or off it. Being one of the captains of the team, Franklin has to do the dirty work from time to time, which he thoroughly relishes.

While appearing on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, the dynamic linebacker recounted an encounter with CJ Stroud. The Colts faced the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2023 season. Franklin wasn’t happy with Stroud’s smugness at the game and vowed to pay him back in 2024.

I'm not going to lie to you; I like C.J. [Stroud] and I support all our young brothers at quarterback, but C.J. he done said a lot of wild stuff to me in our run-ins. He is feeling himself. I need to see that boy again. Zaire Franklin told Long

It was only Stroud’s second official game as a Texan, and he was facing fellow rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. Their matchup during the season ended in a stalemate, with both winning one game each, but the Texans went on to snatch the AFC South title.

Zaire Franklin on his recent run-in with CJ Stroud@JOEL9ONE | @ZiggySmalls_ pic.twitter.com/lqaIoenlej
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) May 9, 2024

Zaire Franklin revealed why he wants to pay back CJ Stroud

The 27-year-old added that before the Super Bowl kicked off in LA, players gathered and went to several radio shows, including SiriusXM. Stroud was ahead of Franklin on the day, and he heard the Ohio State product undermining the Indianapolis Colts‘ performance against the Texans in week 2.

He was on there talking about how he cooked the Colts in both games. I saw him, and I pulled him aside, and was like, you know, when you played Anthony, it was like 28-7 in the second quarter; we were kind of blowing you out. Zaire Franklin revealed

However, Richardson suffered a concussion and would miss the rest of the game. Stroud, on the other hand, threw 348 yards and four touchdowns, even though the Texans lost the game 31-20.

Franklin remembered taunting the 22-year-old, saying if losing meant winning to him, then he could keep the W. However, he has yet to beat Richardson.

I was like, if that's what you consider cooking with the loss, I mean congratulations. Zaire Franklin said

Fortunately for the Colts, Richardson is close to making a full recovery after suffering a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder in the second quarter of Week 5 vs. the Tennessee Titans.

Franklin led the Indianapolis franchise with 179 tackles, which was second in the NFL. The Colts would want a similar season from him to push for a return to the playoffs.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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