49ers Reunite with DeForest Buckner in Trade with Colts: Why San Francisco Brought Back the Star Defensive Tackle

The San Francisco 49ers have traded for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, bringing the former first-round pick back to the Bay Area after five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Buckner, who was drafted seventh overall by San Francisco in 2016, spent four years with the 49ers before being traded to Indianapolis in 2020. The 30-year-old earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and 2023 and has been a durable, disruptive force on the interior, missing just one game over the past four seasons. This reunion addresses a clear need for the 49ers, who lost key defensive linemen in free agency and needed a proven anchor to pair with Nick Bosa. Buckner’s familiarity with the scheme and his leadership in the locker room make him an ideal fit. For the Colts, the move clears significant cap space and adds draft capital as they retool their defensive front. San Francisco is betting that Buckner’s prime years can help them get back to the Super Bowl after a disappointing 2024 season. The 49ers’ defensive line just got a major boost with a player who knows exactly what it takes to win in this system.