DeForest Buckner is now enjoying life with the San Francisco 49ers. He reunited with the Niners after parting ways with the Indianapolis Colts, who traded the veteran defensive tackle to his original NFL team in late October.
On Monday, Buckner opened up about his trade stance, clearly indicating to the Colts that San Francisco was his desired landing spot.
“Yeah, when I started thinking about trade, things going on and everything like that, and the way things were going, and just the way I was feeling inside, it was a tough decision, but when everything kind of unfolded and everything, I made it pretty, I’ve stated it that I wanted to come here,” the 32-year-old Buckner told reporters.
The three-time Pro Bowler stressed the key factors, including the obvious ones, why he preferred to get traded to San Francisco.
“I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” the former Oregon Ducks star continued. “Obviously, the familiarity with being here, being drafted here, all the guys that are still here when I was here, just the way watching them, I’ve been keeping up with the games over the years, and just watching the standard of play that they play at, and the winning football they play at, this is where I wanted to be.”
DeForest Buckner said he made it clear to the Colts that he only wanted to be traded to the 49ers
Buck also said he was heartbroken and in shock when he was traded to the Colts back in 2020 pic.twitter.com/9p4eGmHF7P
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) November 2, 2026
Bucker About to Make His First Appearance Back With The 49ers in Week 9
Indianapolis Colts, DeForest Buckner
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) warms up before facing the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
Buckner can’t be blamed for wanting his time with the Colts to be over, as Indianapolis was on a free fall before his trade — and continues to be in a slump.
Buckner was a first-round pick by San Francisco in the 2016 NFL Draft and can play in his first game back with the 49ers in Week 9’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara — his old stomping grounds.
On the season, Buckner has four sacks and 11 solo tackles.
Detailed view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet at State Farm Stadium.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images