Kyle Juszczyk wants the band back together.
The San Francisco 49ers fullback commented "Come home" on an ESPN NFL Instagram post featuring Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, tagging his former teammate in what amounts to a public recruiting pitch. In the post, Buckner said, "I'm sick and tired of the same song and dance every year."
#49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk is already recruiting DeForest Buckner back to the Bay after Buckner voiced his frustrations following The Colts loss to Tennessee 👀
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) October 19, 2026
Will Buckner reunite with the 49ers this season 🤔 pic.twitter.com/QiQUvijbPf
Buckner's frustrations are understandable. The Colts are 2-4 this season and have made the playoffs once since he was traded to Indianapolis from the 49ers in 2020.
They haven't won more than nine games in a season since that year, either.
Buckner was the No. 7 pick in 2016 and made his mark quickly in San Francisco. He totaled 28.5 sacks, 38 tackles for loss and 74 QB hits over four seasons. His best years came at the end of that run: 12.0 sacks and a Pro Bowl nod in 2018, followed by 7.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and second-team All-Pro honors in 2019. The 49ers traded Buckner to the Colts for the No. 13 overall pick, where he earned a massive extension from Indianapolis.
Six years later, though, the 49ers could use the help and the Colts could use the draft capital and salary cap relief.
For San Francisco, the defensive line needs more bodies after Alfred Collins suffered a season-ending injury; Nick Bosa is still on the mend from a calf injury, and Mykell Williams is ramping up after returning from his ACL injury. Osa Odighizuwa and Gracen Halton are the only other defensive tackles on the roster who can do some damage.
It wouldn't be an awful salary for Buckner to take on, either. He's owed just $10 million in 2026 with a $26.6 million cap hit this season and has two void years on his deal after this season.
Buckner wouldn't be the first reunion of 2026, either. San Francisco also brought back Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw after the pair spent a year away. With the 49ers making a serious push for a Super Bowl, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch may want to heed Juszczyk's advice and bring back more familiar faces for a postseason run.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL trade deadline: Kyle Juszczyk makes pitch for major 49ers reunion
