DeForest Buckner didn’t sound bitter, surprised, or even remotely interested in turning his Colts exit into a drama. Instead, he made it clear this was handled the way he hoped it would be.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the trade, Buckner said Indianapolis made sure he landed somewhere he wanted to go, and he made a point of showing respect to the people who made it happen.
"They wanted to make sure I went to a place where I wanted to be and I have nothing but respect for Carlie, her family, for Dodds, and everybody in that building," Buckner said in a San Francisco 49ers press conference this week. "I formed great relationships there. They held their end of the bargain and at the end of the day, I wanted to be here and they made it happen."
Buckner also said he spoke with Irsay-Gordon and other Colts executives before the deal, so he knew what was coming instead of getting blindsided. That mattered, especially for a veteran who spent six-and-a-half seasons giving the Colts plenty on and off the field, while also connecting with the fans and the Indianapolis community.
Now he’s back where his NFL career began, and the fit is obvious. Buckner is headed to San Francisco, where he’ll join a defense already built around Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, two players with 14 combined Pro Bowl nods and All-Pro Team selections. Buckner has already shared the field with both during his first run in California.
For Indianapolis, the trade is another sign of where things are headed. After last week’s move, the Colts have already sent out two longtime franchise veterans in Quenton Nelson and Buckner, and the roster now looks headed toward a full reset after this season.
For Buckner, though, the immediate picture is much cleaner: he leaves a Colts team in transition and lands with one of the league’s best teams through eight weeks, a Super Bowl contender with a real chance to keep climbing.
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Colts Loss Exposed The Same Problems Fans Are Tired Of
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Shane Steichen and Lou Anarumo both came under scrutiny for how the game unfolded, while Laiatu Latu and Tyler Warren also drew criticism for underwhelming play. The loss added another layer to the growing concern that Indianapolis keeps running into the same problems in the biggest moments, and the Jaguars game did little to ease that unease. For a team trying to establish consistency, it was another reminder that the margin for error is getting smaller. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Trade Talk Just Put The Colts On The Spot
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Any path to a deal would be complicated, though, because adding a player of Taylors caliber would demand major draft capital and a real cap maneuver on Minnesotas side. For Indianapolis, the noise is a reminder of how valuable Taylor remains and how quickly outside interest can turn into a front-office test, even if nothing official has been put on the table yet. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Downs Trade Buzz Puts Colts Deadline Pressure In Focus
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The timing matters because the NFL trade deadline has a way of forcing teams to decide whether they are buying, selling or simply holding firm. Several clubs with receiver needs are watching, and the Colts have a decision to make on how aggressive to be in talks as the deadline gets closer. For a team trying to balance present production with future flexibility, Downs has become a name worth tracking. [Read more 🡒]