wolmerica INDIANAPOLIS – On the field, DeForest Buckner is tough to shift.
And he will not be heading anywhere for the Indianapolis Colts.
The workforce awarded their defensive stalwart with a contract extension.
The 2-12 months, $46 million extension will make him a person of the optimum-paid out defensive linemen in the league, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It runs by way of the 2026 period, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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The Colts confirmed the re-signing with a social media post that reported, “Prolong Buck” adopted by a checkmark. Normal supervisor Chris Ballard issued a statement emphasizing Buckner’s significance to the franchise.
“DeForest has been the epitome of what it implies to be a Colt the very last 4 decades. As just one of the leading defensive tackles in the league, he is a damaging pressure on our defensive line. DeForest is one of the pillars of our locker home. His really hard get the job done, regularity and approach to the video game are very important to the good results of our group. We are privileged to have DeForest and the caliber of person he is symbolizing our firm. I’m enthusiastic for him and his family on this a lot deserved deal extension.”
Colts GM Chris Ballard
Buckner was in the final yr of the 4-yr contract he signed with the Colts immediately after being acquired by means of trade from the San Francisco 49ers in 2020. Indy gave up the No. 13 over-all select to get him.
A long lasting, disruptive defensive deal with, Buckner played in 17 online games this past season, setting a job high in tackles with 81. He finished with 8 sacks, tying him with Dayo Odeyingbo for third-most on the workforce.
Buckner, 30, regularly attracts double groups, freeing up other defenders to make performs. Even then, he continues to be a power in the middle, regularly clogging working lanes and delivering interior tension. In 4 seasons with the Colts, he’s averaged extra than 8 sacks per 12 months.
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A 3-time Pro Bowl assortment (2018, 2021, 2023) who has acquired AP Initially Workforce All-Professional (2020) and Next Crew All-Pro (2019) honors, he is again anticipated to perform a critical job for the Colts’ defense, furnishing knowledge, leadership and accountability as a workforce captain.
For the Colts, the extension follows the team’s current technique of retaining vital gamers. Grover Stewart, Kenny Moore II, Michael Pittman Jr. and Zaire Franklin had been amongst the players who re-signed in no cost company or have been supplied extensions this offseason.
