Investing in defensive linemen has been a trend with NFL teams this offseason and the Indianapolis Colts are the latest team to lock up their premier defensive tackle.
According to a recent post by NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Colts have agreed to a two-year, $46 million extension with DeForest Buckner that will see him return to the organization for the foreseeable future.
Buckner, 30, was a first round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in in the 2016 NFL Draft and has gradually developed into one of the NFL’s top players. He was brought over to Indianapolis as part of a deal that saw the Colts send a first round pick the other way.
Since making his debut in the NFL, Buckner has gone on to record 61 sacks, 544 tackles and 80 tackles for loss over 129 regular season games.
Colts and three-time Pro-Bowl DT DeForest Buckner reached agreement today on a two-year, $46 million contract extension that ties him to Indianapolis through the 2026 season, per sources.
Colts traded the No. 13 overall pick to the 49ers in 2020 for Buckner, quickly signed him… pic.twitter.com/yHD6Y8SA6I
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 15, 2024
Buckner is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was named a First-team All-Pro in 2020.
Last season, he racked up eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss and forced two fumbles over 17 games.
$23 million per season may seem like a hefty price for an elite defensive lineman but that seems to be the going rate. Earlier this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs re-signed Chris Jones to a five-year $158.75 million deal. The Las Vegas Raiders shelled out big money to secure Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million contract.
The Colts had a rocky season last year, finishing third in the AFC South with a 9-8 record. The return of quarterback Anthony Richardson, along with Buckner, should provide some optimism for an organization that has reached the playoffs just once over the last five seasons.
