Colts agree to trade DeForest Buckner to 49ers, NFL Network reports

Colts agree to trade DeForest Buckner to 49ers, NFL Network reports

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Colts Deal DeForest Buckner to 49ers as Indianapolis Sheds Pro Bowl Talent

The Indianapolis Colts are blowing it up, folks. As reported by foxnews.com, the franchise has agreed to send defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft, according to the NFL Network.

This marks the second trade of a former Pro Bowl player negotiated Tuesday by interim general manager Ed Dodds. Earlier in the day, the Colts traded perennial Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, picking up a 2027 third-round pick, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick in the process.

Colts TRADE DeForest Buckner to 49ers | TRADE GRADES

For Buckner, the move represents a reunion with the organization that selected him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons in San Francisco before arriving in Indianapolis ahead of the 2020 campaign. Over six seasons in Indy, Buckner racked up 420 tackles and 47 sacks. The trade is currently pending a physical.

Shifting Priorities in Indianapolis

Tuesday’s moves signal a definitive pivot for the franchise. The front office is no longer prioritizing salvaging the 2026 season, choosing instead to stockpile draft assets and plan for the future. Yet these roster changes carry immediate consequences.

With a depleted roster, the struggling Colts face a steep uphill battle for the remainder of the year. That reality complicates the outlook for head coach Shane Steichen, who entered the season operating under a mandate to win to secure his long-term future with the club.

And the fire sale may not be over. OutKick and Fox News Digital reported that Indianapolis continues to field trade inquiries regarding other high-profile veterans, including running back Jonathan Taylor, defensive tackle Grover Stewart, and receivers Keenan Allen and Josh Downs.

Elsewhere in the AFC East

While Indianapolis pivots toward a rebuild, the New York Jets are reaping the rewards of past transactions. Last season, when the Colts aggressively bought at the trade deadline, they acquired cornerback Sauce Gardner from New York in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick.

As the Colts continue to shed veteran talent and stumble through the remainder of the schedule, the value of that 2027 first-rounder heading back to Florham Park climbs higher.

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