Colts Dismantle Core, Trading Buckner And Nelson In Hours
The Indianapolis Colts traded two of their most accomplished players within hours of each other on Tuesday, sending defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers and guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks. The moves mark the opening of an active stretch ahead of the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline and signal that Indianapolis is prepared to continue dealing.
Buckner returns to San Francisco, the team that drafted him seventh overall in 2016, in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. The 32-year-old has recorded four sacks, eight quarterback hits and 31 combined tackles in seven games this season and was considered a defensive cornerstone in Indianapolis. He is on an expiring contract and due to become a free agent at season's end. The 49ers, who finished with a league-low 20 sacks last season and rank tied for 20th with 15 sacks this year, are counting on Buckner to pair with Nick Bosa, who is expected back from a calf injury, to rebuild their pass rush as the team pushes for a deep postseason run. live futsal bets
Nelson, an eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro selection, heads to Seattle in a deal netting Indianapolis a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The Seahawks add significant protection for quarterback Sam Darnold and reinforcement for an offensive line tasked with stabilizing a run game that has been inconsistent through seven weeks. Seattle is also due compensatory fifth-round picks tied to the free-agent departures of Kenneth Walker III and Riq Woolen, and retains a 2027 third-round selection separate from the one it is sending to Indianapolis, cushioning the draft-capital cost of acquiring a player of Nelson's stature.
Both trades follow a difficult start to the season for Indianapolis that led to the firing of general manager Chris Ballard. Without a first-round pick to work with, the Colts are leaning on veteran trades to rebuild their draft stock, even as they part with two foundational players still performing at a high level. Further moves are expected from Indianapolis as the deadline approaches.