Colts Trade DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson to Launch Franchise Rebuild

Following a 2-5 start and the firing of GM Chris Ballard, the Indianapolis Colts traded DeForest Buckner to San Francisco and Quenton Nelson to Seattle.

The Indianapolis Colts traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers and guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday. These moves follow a 2-5 start to the season and the dismissal of general manager Chris Ballard. Assistant general manager Ed Dodds executed the trades after the team suffered its third consecutive loss, a defeat against the Minnesota Vikings.

Seattle acquired Nelson in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection. San Francisco sent a 2027 fourth-round choice to Indianapolis to reacquire Buckner, whom they originally drafted before trading him to the Colts in 2020. Both players were in the final year of their respective contracts.

Indianapolis currently lacks a first-round pick in 2027 due to a previous trade for Sauce Gardner with the New York Jets. The franchise is expected to consider further deals involving running back Jonathan Taylor, nose tackle Grover Stewart, and receiver Josh Downs. The team could potentially exceed $60 million in salary cap space next spring, a figure that may increase if they move on from quarterback Daniel Jones or trade Taylor.

According to ESPN, the Colts have not won the AFC South since 2014 and have averaged 7.6 wins over the last five seasons. Their last postseason victory occurred in 2018, and they have not qualified for the playoffs since 2020.