The San Francisco 49ers are bringing a familiar face back to the Bay Area, acquiring defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2027 fourth-round pick, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The move comes just hours after Indy traded eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks, signaling they're ready to rebuild for the future. The Colts are 2-5 and recently fired longtime general manager Chris Ballard.
Nelson was a franchise cornerstone, and Buckner was arguably their best player on defense. Trading both on the same day is a clear signal of where the franchise is headed. San Francisco, meanwhile, is sitting at 6-1 and comfortably atop the NFC West, gearing up for another deep playoff run.
George Kittle wasted no time celebrating the reunion, posting on X a photo of himself, Buckner, and star fullback Kyle Juszczyk posing together after the 2018 Pro Bowl, along with the caption: More news: 3 Other Teams Had Interest in Quenton Nelson Before Colts-Seahawks Trade Buckner returns to San Francisco six years after the 49ers traded him to Indianapolis for the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, which was later traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on draft night, who used it on now-All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs. San Francisco took Javon Kinlaw one pick later, a defensive tackle now with the Washington Commanders. Buckner spent his first four seasons in San Francisco, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 and helping the 49ers reach Super Bowl LIV.
Just over one month after the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the championship game, he was traded to Indy. Now, he reunites with Kittle, Juszczyk, head coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch, and star linebacker Fred Warner. More news: Former All-Pro Receiver Names 4 Trade Targets for Chiefs Ahead of NFL Deadline More news: Dan Campbell Slammed for Risky Decision in Lions Win Over Packers The fit is obvious.
Buckner gives the 49ers a proven interior pass rusher who can get after the quarterback and help take pressure off the rest of the defensive front. For a team eyeing another Super Bowl run, adding an experienced player who already knows the system is incredibly valuable at this stage of the season. As for the Colts, they're going in the opposite direction.
They're accumulating as much draft capital as possible as they head into what's shaping up to be a pivotal offseason. Insiders have already reported that other key players could also be on the move in the coming days, including receiver Josh Downs, defensive tackle Grover Steward, and running back Jonathan Taylor.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
