The Indianapolis Colts and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner have agreed to a two-year, $46 million extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Buckner was entering the final year of a four-year, $84 million extension, and as Schefter notes, his new contract extension will keep the Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Indianapolis through the 2026 season.
Buckner, who was a Pro Bowl selection following the 2023 season and is a three-time Pro Bowl selection overall, set career-highs with 81 combined tackles and seven passes defensed while also recording 11 tackles-for-loss, 21 quarterback hits and eight sacks for the Colts last season.
The 30-year-old defensive tackle has been one of Indianapolis’ best defensive players since arriving prior to the 2020 season in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. In four seasons with the Colts, Buckner has recorded 32.5 sacks while being named a two-time Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro selection. Buckner has been as durable as they come at his position, too, as he’s missed just one game during his time in Indianapolis.
It’s January 14th, 2012. We’re at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. With 14 seconds to play, down three, and facing a third down, the 49ers need a score to keep their playoff hopes alive – without needing to roll the dice in overtime. The Saints meanwhile can end this here with a takeaway and head to the NFC Championship Game themselves. To understand how we got here and to appreciate everything this moment represents, we need to rewind.
Buckner becomes the latest member of the Colts’ defense to receive a multi-year extension this offseason, joining cornerback Kenny Moore II, linebacker Zaire Franklin, defensive end Tyquan Lewis and fellow defensive tackle Grover Stewart.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard released a statement on Buckner’s extension: