DeForest Buckner is officially headed back to the Bay, with the 49ers striking a deal to acquire him from the Indianapolis Colts. This isn’t just a regular season move, folks; this is a huge one, especially considering San Francisco sent Buckner to Indianapolis way back in 2020. The Colts are getting a 2027 fourth-round pick to complete the deal, and honestly, you gotta wonder if that’s enough for a guy still putting up numbers.
Buckner’s Still Got It, Even In His 11th Season
Even in his 11th season, Buckner is still a beast on that defensive interior. The dude’s got 4.0 sacks this year, along with four tackles for loss and eight QB hits so far in 2026. He’s also managed three passes defensed and even snagged a fumble recovery. That’s serious production, especially from a veteran defensive lineman. He was the No. 7 overall pick out of Oregon back in 2016, and was a crucial part of the 49ers’ defense during his first four seasons. Remember Super Bowl LIV? He was a key piece in getting them there after the 2019 season, racking up 12.0 sacks in 2018 and 7.5 sacks in 2019 for the Niners.
Why the Move Now? Frustration and an Expiring Contract.
After his fourth season, he was traded to the Colts, who then locked him up with a long-term second contract. But it looks like things soured in Indy. Buckner was reportedly “palpably frustrated” by all the Colts losses in recent weeks. When you’ve got a player with his talent, and he’s got an expiring contract, it’s really no shocker that he’s been moved. This is the second high-profile trade of the day across the league, so things are getting wild out there! Across his 158 career games, Buckner has stacked up an incredible 75.5 sacks, 101 tackles for loss, and a massive 196 QB hits. That’s a resume that demands respect, and now it’s back in the NFC West.
For the 49ers, getting Buckner back is a boost to their defensive line. For the Colts, well, they’re looking at a 2027 fourth-rounder and a key defensive piece gone. As for us here in the Emerald City, it’s just a reminder of the moves happening around the league, though we’re still buzzing from our own W. The Seahawks absolutely shut down the Kansas City Chiefs in a 20-3 final, so yeah, the 12s have plenty to cheer about!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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