It was reported that the San Francisco 49ers had been quietly working on trading Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner since around the time of Super Bowl LIV. The move became a reality on Monday, as the team that drafted Buckner, one of its best players, sent him to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the No. 13 overall pick.
Buckner had known for a few days that a trade was a possibility. It was still difficult to take in when the 49ers told him he was headed to Indianapolis.
"I was expecting the announcement," Buckner told Indianapolis-area reporters on Wednesday via a conference call, after the trade became official. "When it was finally announced, me, my wife, my family, we were just excited."
The 49ers had hoped to lock up Buckner to a long-term deal. When it became apparent that wasn't going to happen, the team looked to get something for him rather than let him walk after the 2020 season.
Buckner got his payday. Upon being traded, he signed a four-year deal paying him an average of $21 million per year with nearly $44.4 million guaranteed. He is now the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL.
Still, it was difficult to move on from San Francisco.
"It's always tough when you play your heart out for an organization," Buckner continued. "And you're obviously one of the key guys, and obviously you build a lot of lifelong relationships there and everything. And to find (out) the fact that you're a possibility to be traded, I mean, obviously, with any person, any guy in this profession, it would kind of hurt a little bit.
"But at the same time, you can't take it personal because it's the business of the game. It's the business we choose. The only thing I can control is my attitude moving forward, and I'm just blessed to have this opportunity.
"The fact that this organization is willing to believe in me, and bring me in, feeling wanted, and needed at a certain place, it feels good. I'm just excited to show everyone what I can bring to the table."
The money saved by trading Buckner was used to work out a long-term deal with the defensive tackle's friend and now-former teammate, Arik Armstead. It also allowed San Francisco to re-sign safety Jimmie Ward and bring back defensive lineman Ronald Blair.
"Super excited that he got that payday," Armstead said of Buckner on Wednesday. "I wish it was with us. Me and DeFo have been playing alongside each other for so many years now. It was definitely a weird day, you know, mixed emotions."
