Franklin was indignant with Stroud claiming that the Texans dominated each video games towards the Colts in 2023.
CJ Stroud and Zaire Franklin (Picture by way of IMAGO)
Indianapolis Colts’ Zaire Franklin by no means backs down from a combat, whether or not that’s on the gridiron or off it. Being one of many captains of the group, Franklin has to do the soiled work sometimes, which he completely relishes.
Whereas showing on the Inexperienced Gentle with Chris Lengthy podcast, the dynamic linebacker recounted an encounter with CJ Stroud. The Colts confronted the Houston Texans within the second spherical of the 2023 season. Franklin wasn’t proud of Stroud’s smugness on the sport and vowed to pay him again in 2024.
I am not going to misinform you; I like C.J. [Stroud] and I assist all our younger brothers at quarterback, however C.J. he completed mentioned lots of wild stuff to me in our run-ins. He's feeling himself. I must see that boy once more.Zaire Franklin informed Lengthy
It was solely Stroud’s second official sport as a Texan, and he was going through fellow rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. Their matchup through the season led to a stalemate, with each profitable one sport every, however the Texans went on to grab the AFC South title.
Zaire Franklin revealed why he desires to pay again CJ Stroud
The 27-year-old added that earlier than the Tremendous Bowl kicked off in LA, gamers gathered and went to a number of radio reveals, together with SiriusXM. Stroud was forward of Franklin on the day, and he heard the Ohio State product undermining the Indianapolis Colts‘ efficiency towards the Texans in week 2.
He was on there speaking about how he cooked the Colts in each video games. I noticed him, and I pulled him apart, and was like, , if you performed Anthony, it was like 28-7 within the second quarter; we had been form of blowing you out.Zaire Franklin revealed
Nevertheless, Richardson suffered a concussion and would miss the remainder of the sport. Stroud, then again, threw 348 yards and 4 touchdowns, though the Texans misplaced the sport 31-20.
Franklin remembered taunting the 22-year-old, saying if dropping meant profitable to him, then he may preserve the W. Nevertheless, he has but to beat Richardson.
I used to be like, if that is what you take into account cooking with the loss, I imply congratulations.Zaire Franklin mentioned
Happily for the Colts, Richardson is shut to creating a full restoration after struggling a season-ending damage to his throwing shoulder within the second quarter of Week 5 vs. the Tennessee Titans.
Franklin led the Indianapolis franchise with 179 tackles, which was second within the NFL. The Colts would desire a related season from him to push for a return to the playoffs.
In case you missed it:
https://firstsportz.com/colts-zaire-franklin-waiting-to-see-cj-stroud-again-as-new-rivalry-starts-to-brew/