Colts Trade DeForest Buckner to 49ers for Draft Pick

The Indianapolis Colts continued their significant roster overhaul on Tuesday, trading defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. The deal, confirmed late Tuesday, sends the former All-Pro defensive lineman back to the team that originally drafted him in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. This move follows closely on the heels of the Colts trading eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the day.

Buckner, who was a first-round pick for the 49ers in 2016, spent his first four seasons in San Francisco before being traded to the Colts in 2020. The 32-year-old is set to become a free agent in the offseason, making this a move for the Colts to acquire assets rather than risk losing him without compensation. The 49ers, meanwhile, bolster their defensive line with a proven veteran as they aim for another deep playoff run.

These trades signal a clear shift in direction for the Colts, who have recently parted ways with General Manager Chris Ballard. The team appears to be entering a rebuilding phase, shedding veteran talent in favor of future draft capital. The Seahawks, who acquired Nelson, have already made a roster move to accommodate him, waiving Christian Haynes.