The NFL trade deadline is drawing near, and a couple of former Oregon Ducks could be on the move to contenders. One former Duck is already on the move, returning to the franchise where he began his career.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is being traded from the Indianapolis Colts to the San Francisco 49ers, according to The Ringer and Netflix's Tom Pelissero. The Colts are getting a fourth-round pick in the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft in return for the former Pro Bowl and All-Pro defender.
The 49ers drafted Buckner out of Oregon with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he spent the first four seasons of his career in the Bay Area. Buckner was traded to the Colts in 2020 for a first-round pick in that year's draft, and the former Duck
went on to earn an All-Pro first-team selection in his first season in Indianapolis.
Reunion! The Colts are trading three-time Pro Bowl DL DeForest Buckner to the 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 27, 2026
Buckner came to San Francisco as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016. A decade later, he’s back. pic.twitter.com/glOiRBXldq
Now, as the 49ers sit with a 6-1 record and the Colts are heading toward another lost season, Buckner will rejoin the 49ers in the hunt for a Super Bowl.
In his 11th season, Buckner is set to become a free agent for the first time after this season. He previously signed large contract extensions with the Colts. In seven games, Buckner has recorded 31 tackles, four tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, four sacks, three pass deflections and one fumble recovery. He has 75.5 sacks in his career.
Buckner was part of Oregon's 2014 team that made a run to the national championship. He played at Oregon until 2015, when he was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 83 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in the campaign. He finished his career as a Duck with 18.0 sacks, 35.5 tackles for loss and 109 tackles.
The 49ers are in position to give Buckner a chance to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 as a veteran leader in the middle of San Francisco's defensive line.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Former Oregon DT DeForest Buckner traded from Colts to 49ers
