Hours after the Indianapolis Colts traded left guard Quenton Nelson, the team traded defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. The team has clearly called it quits on the 2026 season, but hopefully that will make the future better.
The issue is that Buckner was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for only a fourth-round pick in 2027, according to The Athletic's James Boyd. Unlike the deal with Nelson, which brought back two picks, including a 2027 third-rounder, Indy didn't get enough for Buckner.
Yes, he is in his early 30s, but he is arguably having his best season and should be good for a couple more seasons. He will be missed by the Colts, but let's be honest: He was likely leaving after the season anyway.
Indianapolis Colts trade DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers
Buckner has made clear that he was unhappy with the constant losing in Indy, as the team hasn't made the postseason since 2020. That isn't Buckner's fault, of course. He has been terrific, and has been as good a person as he was a player.
Now-fired Chris Ballard managed to waste several careers in his nine-year tenure for Indianapolis, and Buckner wasted his time in Indy too. He began his career with the 49ers and reached the Super Bowl, where his team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. With Indy, he didn't come close to a title. Had he stayed with San Francisco, his career would have been far better.
That isn't meant to be mean, of course; it's just a fact. DeForest Buckner will almost certainly be going to the playoffs this season with the 49ers, and might enjoy a deep run once there. Meanwhile, whatever players are left for the Indianapolis Colts after the fire sale is done will be watching the postseason from home.
What does Indianapolis have to show for dealing two of its best players on Tuesday? A 2027 third-rounder and fourth-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder. Is that enough? Maybe, simply because Nelson and Buckner were on expiring deals and unlikely to come back to the Colts.
The players want to win games, and they aren't doing that with the Colts. Moving to a different team in free agency would have been the wise move. As it is, at least Indy got something for Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, even if that means 2026 will be a rough year and likely 2027, too.
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