The San Francisco 49ers were able to bring DeForest Buckner back home in a highly anticipated trade with the Indianapolis Colts. He will help fortify a defensive line that desperately needed some help after losing so many players to injury. But whether or not he will be wearing the red and gold past this year remains a looming question.
His contract expires at the end of 2026, and the Colts graciously agreed to pay down some of his remaining salary as part of the deal. He will hit the market as a 33-year-old defensive tackle, but staying in the Bay feels plausible, especially considering San Francisco was his desired destination at the deadline.
Buckner may no longer be an All-Pro defensive tackle, but he’s still considered a top-third defensive tackle by PFF's standards. He's everything the 49ers need up front. He’s tall, can put pressure on the quarterback, and is great in the run game.
The 11th-year man joins Osa Odighizuwa and Gracen Halton at defensive tackle. While it may seem like Buckner’s presence will actually will hinder Halton, giving the rookie a bit of a breather and allowing him to be a rotational depth piece will take some of allow him to be the understudy to a pair of elite interior lineman..
49ers have young talent that need DeForest Buckner's mentorship
Both Halton and Odighizuwa are under contract for next season, and Alfred Collins will presumably be coming back from his major knee injury, but keeping Buckner in the fold would be a wise move for all parties involved.
He can stay with the team that drafted him and potentially finish out the rest of his career with San Francisco, all while playing alongside Odighizuwa. Together, the veteran duo can set the standard for Halton and Collins and groom them to eventually take up the mantle.
After seeing Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw leave for a season before returning to the Niners, Buckner may realize the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere, not to mention he could potentially make a few more runs at a Super Bowl now that he's back with a competitive franchise.
There are no guarantees, but keeping Buckner around beyond this season should definitely be a priority. One hopes general manager John Lynch fully rectifies the mistake he made by trading him away and keeps him in a Niners uniform beyond 2026.
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