DeForest Buckner did not sound like a player looking to keep things polite after the Indianapolis Colts lost to the Tennessee Titans and fell to 2-4 on Sunday. At his locker, the veteran defensive tackle was openly frustrated, saying he was upset and “sick and tired of the same song and dance.”
“I’m pissed off,” Buckner said. “I’m sick and tired of the same song and dance every...” He added, “Every year,” making clear that the loss hit more than just the standings.
Why the 49ers keep coming up
Buckner’s comments quickly brought back memories of his first run in San Francisco. The 49ers drafted him in 2016, then reached the Super Bowl with him in 2019 before trading him to the Colts after the loss to the Chiefs. That history is part of why his name keeps resurfacing whenever the 49ers need help up front.
The fit is easy to understand. The 49ers need someone who can sack the quarterback and finish games when they have a late lead, and last week they showed that pass rush can still overwhelm an opponent by sacking Sam Darnold five times. But Nick Bosa, who is supposed to be the player that fills that role, has not fully recovered and is out with a calf strain.
That has created a familiar line of speculation: Would the Colts even consider moving Buckner, and would John Lynch be interested if he became available? The 49ers traded Buckner to keep Arik Armstead and Jimmie Ward, but the connection never really disappeared. With the Colts struggling and Buckner clearly unhappy, the idea of a reunion is getting another look.
For now, there is no move to report. But after Sunday, Buckner’s frustration and the 49ers’ need at defensive tackle are enough to keep the conversation alive.
