San Francisco 49ers re-acquire DeForest Buckner via trade with Colts

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly agreed to a trade for DT DeForest Bucker, bringing back their former first-round pick.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Oct 27, 2026, 2:20 PM

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Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers walks out the tunnel before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers found some defensive help via the trade market, bringing back former first-round pick DeForest Buckner.

Reuniting with the defensive tackle they drafted with the 49ers’ own first-round pick from 2016 has been a commonly mentioned idea before the teams agreed to a deal Tuesday afternoon.

According to Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Indianapolis Colts agreed to a deal sending Buckner to San Francisco in exchange for a 2027 4th-round pick.

The long-anticipated trade finally happened, with a 2027 4th rounder going to the Colts.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 27, 2026

Indianapolis seems to be in the midst of a teardown and/or rebuild, as they currently sit at 2-5. Earlier that day, the Colts sent Pro Bowl offensive guard Quinton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

Rather than standing pat while their division rivals and defending Super Bowl champions made improving moves, San Francisco general manager John Lynch found a way to improve his defensive line.

The 49ers originally selected Buckner with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he had four highly successful seasons in Northern California, including an All-Pro and Pro Bowl appearance. Looking to spend money elsewhere and believing they could find cheaper options in the draft, San Francisco traded Buckner to the Colts in 2020 for the No. 13 pick.

One spot later in that draft, they selected DT Javon Kinlaw, who didn’t live up to expectations and now plays for the Washington Commanders. Now, six and a half seasons later, Buckner is reunited with his old team. 49ers’ tight end George Kittle seemed happy about the news, based on his social media post that went up moments after it was announced.

DEFOOOOO THE BOYS ARE BACK @DeForestBuckner @JuiceCheck44 @49ers https://t.co/jUoMNJ96Dx

— George Kittle (@gkittle46) October 27, 2026

Buckner is in the final year of a two-year, $46-million extension. San Francisco has a bye next week, giving their new addition time to reacclimate to their system under defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. There’s also optimism that defensive end and former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa will return from his left calf strain following the bye.

Between those two, Osa Odighizuwa, whom they acquired via trade with the Cowboys last offseason, and young talents such as Mykel Williams, Romello Height, and Gracen Halton, the defensive line should look much improved moving forward.

After suffering their first loss last weekend in Atlanta, San Francisco holds a 6-1 record and appears to be a true Super Bowl contender. Adding Buckner via trade should only increase their chances of the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl victory.