Jilted to joyous, how 49ers' DeForest Buckner overcame hurt and pushed for a reunion

Six years ago, when DeForest Buckner was told he was being traded by the San Francisco 49ers, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle was “heartbroken.”

Last week, when Buckner was told he was being traded back to the franchise that previously didn’t reciprocate his affection? His heart was filled with gratitude.

“I just fell to my knees and I started praying,” Buckner said. “It’s just crazy the way everything happened. God, he’ll open doors you thought were closed.”

In the latest example of time healing wounds, Buckner, 32, was traded by the Colts to the 49ers for a fourth-round pick after making his preference clear to Indianapolis owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and interim general manager Ed Dodds: He wanted to return to the team that parted with him in 2020 when Buckner had compromised on his contract-extension demands, eager to stay with the franchise that had drafted him four years earlier.

The Colts “wanted to make sure that I went to a place where I wanted to be,” Buckner said. “… They held their end of the bargain. At the end of the day, I wanted to be here. And they made it happen.”

In 2020, after joining the Colts, Buckner said he’d poured his “heart and soul” into the 49ers and felt his dedication was a reason they went from 2-14 during his rookie season in 2016 to a Super Bowl in his final year: “You just don’t expect to be traded,” he said.

Buckner was crushed. And angry. But his emotions softened over the years. He kept in touch with a host of former teammates he reunited with this week: tight end George Kittle, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, pass rusher Nick Bosa, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.

Over text messages and Pro Bowl trips, Buckner said they often had the same message: “Come back home, bro.”

“But,” Buckner said, “I had my own things I had to do out in Indy.”

Buckner felt immense loyalty to the Colts. After the 49ers declined to pay him, choosing to sign defensive tackle Arik Armstead and safety Jimmie Ward to extensions instead, Indianapolis traded the No. 13 pick to acquire Buckner and signed him to a four-year, $84 million deal.

After five-plus seasons, however, Buckner was beaten down by losing. The Colts never won a playoff game during his tenure, and they have a 40-52 record since 2021. After Buckner’s last game with the franchise, a loss to the Vikings on Oct. 25, the Hawaii native known for off-the-field equanimity uncharacteristically snapped at a reporter who asked for his thoughts on the Colts’ 2-5 start.

“I don’t know,” Buckner said. “How about you guess. I’m frustrated. Same thing. We lost.”

Buckner is familiar with the feeling: His teams have had a 76-95 record in his 11-season career and have made two playoff appearances. Given those numbers, coupled with Buckner likely nearing the end of his career, the 49ers’ ongoing success while he was away made a reunion appealing.

Buckner, who joined a 6-1 team, spoke about how a Super Bowl title adds to a player’s “legacy.” He mentioned a conversation he had with Warner on Monday in which the All-Pro linebacker spoke about how elite teams ascend throughout the season.

“This is the part of the season where some teams start falling off,” Buckner said. “And the really select group continue to rise and get better each and every week. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

It’s possible Buckner can do it on his new team. It’s the same franchise that once broke his heart, closing a door he never imagined would reopen.  

“Life just came full circle,” Buckner said. “And I’m a Niner again.”

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This article originally published at Jilted to joyous, how 49ers’ DeForest Buckner overcame hurt and pushed for a reunion.