DeForest Buckner reportedly had options in trade discussions with the Indianapolis Colts, but he wanted to return to the team that drafted him
According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, the Chicago Bears were the other team interested in acquiring Buckner. However, per Schultz, Buckner “wanted to be back in San Francisco.” The 49ers traded a 2027 fourth-round pick for the All-Pro defensive tackle.
It is a homecoming for the 49ers’ 2016 first-round pick. Buckner spent his first four NFL seasons in San Francisco, making a Pro Bowl in 2018 and earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2019. The 49ers then traded him to the Colts for a 2020 first-round pick, and he went on to earn first-team All-Pro honors in his first season in Indianapolis.
Buckner has
75.5 sacks, 101 tackles for loss and 196 quarterback hits in 11 NFL seasons. At 32, he has four sacks in seven games with 20 pressures.
The move is a major boost for a 49ers defensive line that has been hit hard by injuries, including to CJ West and Alfred Collins. Buckner figures to start alongside Osa Odighizuwa, and Nick Bosa is due back from a calf strain shortly after the bye week. San Francisco also has rookies Gracen Halton and Romello Height on the defensive line, alongside 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams on the edge.
Buckner should make his 49ers return in Week 9 after the bye against the Las Vegas Raiders at Levi’s Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: DeForest Buckner reportedly preferred trade to 49ers over Bears
