DeForest Buckner is going home. The Indianapolis Colts are trading the veteran defensive tackle back to the San Francisco 49ers, the team that drafted him, for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
It was the Colts’ second big trade on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Earlier that day they sent guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle.
The trade
| 49ers get | Colts get |
|---|---|
| DT DeForest Buckner | 2027 fourth-round pick |
A reunion six years later
Buckner’s career has come full circle:
- 2016: The 49ers took him in the first round of the draft.
- 2016–2019: He spent four seasons in San Francisco and played in the Super Bowl LIV loss to Kansas City.
- 2020: The 49ers traded him to Indianapolis, where he spent the next six-plus seasons.
- 2026: Back to San Francisco.
Is he still good at 32?
Yes. After a long rehab last offseason, Buckner has stayed healthy and is playing well. Through seven games this season he has:
| Stat (2026) | Buckner |
|---|---|
| Sacks | 4 (as many as in 10 games last season) |
| QB hits | 8 |
| Batted passes | 3 |
He can line up almost anywhere on the defensive line, and he sometimes rushes from the edge.
Why the 49ers did it
San Francisco (6-1) is one of the NFC’s best teams, but it needed help in the middle of the defense. According to Yahoo Sports, only two defensive tackles, Osa Odighizuwa and rookie Gracen Halton, had played in every game, and the group lacked size.
Help is also coming on the edge. GM John Lynch says Nick Bosa is tracking well for a return in Week 9 against the Raiders. He has played only one game this season because of knee and calf injuries.
Yahoo Sports grade for the 49ers: A-
Why the Colts did it
Buckner’s contract ends after this season, and he wasn’t expected to return to Indianapolis. At 2-5, with general manager Chris Ballard fired on Oct. 19, the Colts chose to get a pick for him now.
They lose a leader on the defensive line, but the pick helps the rebuild.
Yahoo Sports grade for the Colts: B-
What’s next
The 49ers are on a bye in Week 8, which gives Buckner time to learn the defense before Week 9. The Colts are open for more business before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. See who could be next, and follow every deal in our NFL trade tracker.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors, Yahoo Sports – trade grades, ESPN, Yahoo Sports – NFL news.
