As the 49ers keep searching for help on their defensive front, the idea of a DeForest Buckner reunion has started to linger again. But according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area, any real movement on that front is still a long way off.
Chan addressed the Buckner chatter on her YouTube channel, and her read was clear: San Francisco may like the fit, but a deal would have to make sense for both sides. “I would think he would come back, but what can the 49ers give up for him?
I don’t know. They would want him for the rest of the contract and not have to guarantee him more money for a huge new contract.”
Buckner, whom the 49ers drafted in 2016 before trading him to Indianapolis in March 2020, has opened this season with 1.5 sacks and seven total tackles over two games. Chan also made it plain that her history covering Buckner left her with a strong impression of both the player and the person.
“I was there when he was a rookie, and such a good locker-room guy, such a great player,” she said. “They just missed out when they traded him…I know that he didn’t want to go.
I know that he wanted to stay with the 49ers; I think because, budget-wise, they wanted to have less money on the salary cap, they chose to keep Arik Armstead instead of DeForest Buckner.”
For now, though, the Colts have little reason to rush into anything. They dropped to 0-2 on Sunday night, but the trade deadline does not arrive until Nov. 10, and Indianapolis is one of three AFC South teams heading into Week 3 at 0-2. Chan’s view is that the Colts still have time to see whether their season turns around before even thinking about moving Buckner.
“The Colts have a chance, though,” Chan explained. “Their division is weak.
It’s too early to let him go. When it comes to being closer to the trade deadline, if the Colts are having a sh---- season, then yes.
Maybe they’ll trade away [Buckner] because why not at this point? But it’s not going to be now.
It’s going to be way closer to the trade deadline. The Niners have to be really playing well and need one piece, and that would have to be [Buckner], and then the Colts have to just be sucking.”
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