The San Francisco 49ers continued their reunion party last week, bringing back former Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts six years after trading him away.
Buckner, 32, instantly comes into a starting role in San Francisco alongside Osa Odighizuwa, giving the team some more experience and a veteran presence for a young room of defensive tackles.
Buckner was quite productive in 2025, but was on a poor Colts team this season and was expected to be dealt. Naturally,
with the need, the 49ers were a perfect fit, and the two sides were able to get a deal done for a fourth-round pick.
Now, the defensive tackle will play in his first game with the 49ers since the 2019 Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, as the team hopes to not only make it back, but win their first championship since 1995.
Though it’s been just a week, Buckner’s presence has already been felt in the locker room, according to his teammates.
“Oh, it’s awesome,” running back Christian McCaffrey said of Buckner’s arrival. “I think just even in the walkthrough today, you look out there, you got Bosa, you got him out there, all these other [guys]. You’re like, okay, definitely gives you a little boost of confidence. So pumped he’s on our team.”
Bosa praised the move, believing it’ll add some needed leadership to the defensive line group for the younger guys.
“Yeah, 100%, [we feel a boost],” Bosa said of his former teammate. “I think we needed some leadership, not that we don’t have a couple good leaders in the D-line room, but a guy who’s played this scheme a lot, and we have some emerging young D-tackles, so it’s a perfect fit, really.”
Fred Warner echoed the sentiment, noting the impact Buckner had on him back when the two played together for two seasons in 2018 and 2019.
“It means everything,” Warner added. “It was special when I found out that we had an opportunity or really when we did get him. That was the guy when I came in as a rookie, I think he was in his 3rd year and he was what everything that we were looking for as a 49er. Just building the culture and the standard here.
“He was that, you know, and I learned so much from him early on. And, you know, it was unfortunate, the business side of it, obviously having to be traded to the Colts, but it’s rare you get a second opportunity to come home, right? And so I know he’s excited. I’m excited. He looks phenomenal. And it helps when you have really talented players on the defensive line. It makes my job easier.”
Could the 49ers continue to add on the defensive line now? Reports have said they’re still on the look for a pass-rusher, perhaps another veteran to help out a younger room. When speaking to reporters, head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team is still looking for moves that make sense, and a pass rusher might be one of the top needs remaining.
While it’s a possibility, Bosa feels quite confident with how the room is stacking up right now.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Bosa said when asked about the possibility of another addition. “Yeah, I don’t know. It seems like we’re pretty stacked. [Buckner’s] the blueprint and, and now we get to watch it in person.”
