Packers explore surprising trade scenario for a 3-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle as injuries and salary cap concerns pile up
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is in the final year of his deal, and Green Bay’s interior defensive line has been thinned by injuries.
The Green Bay Packers could be searching for help on the defensive line ahead of the trade deadline, and one name surfaced. Tyler Brooke, who covers the NFL for YouTube channel Best Available, reported that Green Bay contacted Indianapolis about veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
This is not the type of move the Packers usually make. Buckner is a 32-year-old player in the final year of his deal with the Colts, and the Packers have shown a clear pattern of preserving future flexibility. But the Colts seem to be open to making moves, and general manager Brian Gutekunst is at least exploring the possibilities.
Contract math is complex, but favorable
Buckner is making $23 million this season, with a $26.6 million cap hit for the Colts. However, $10 million of that total came in a roster bonus Indianapolis has already paid, so his base salary is only $13 million.
If Green Bay pulls the trigger at the deadline, it would absorb only $6.5 million of Buckner’s base salary for the second half of the season. That assumes the Colts don’t keep any part of the remaining money.
Indianapolis could also be motivated to absorb part of that figure. If the Packers give up some draft compensation, the Colts might pay a share of the $6.5 million, which would ease the cap consideration for Green Bay.
The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard this week, which opened the door for trade conversations. With Buckner in the final year of his deal, moving on from a veteran player would make sense for Indianapolis.
Buckner is still a productive player
DeForest Buckner has been an impactful defender since his time with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers selected him in the first round in 2016, and he was a second-team All-Pro in 2019 and a first-team All-Pro in 2020. That stretch was the prime of his career, and he has three Pro Bowls on his résumé.
San Francisco traded Buckner to the Colts in 2020 in exchange for a first-round pick. He then signed a four-year, $84 million extension with Indianapolis, which made him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in football at the time.
The production hasn’t disappeared. Through six games, Buckner has 19 pressures, four sacks, and 11 stops in 2026. Injuries limited him to 10 games last season, but he still generated 36 pressures, four sacks, and 22 stops. His run defense has probably declined a little over the past two years. As a pass rusher, though, he remains a highly effective interior defensive lineman.
He also brings versatility. Buckner can line up as an edge defender or over the tackle too, even though he’s mostly a B-gap defensive tackle. That flexibility could be valuable in Jonathan Gannon’s defensive scheme.
Why Green Bay would consider it
The Packers invested in the defensive tackle position this offseason. They signed Devonte Wyatt to an extension, drafted Chris McClellan in the third round, and added Javon Hargrave on a two-year, $23 million deal in free agency.
The problem is that Hargrave ruptured his Achilles and is out for the season. Warren Brinson and Jonathan Ford are also on injured reserve, and Jordon Riley remains on PUP, not yet ready to return. That’s a lot of attrition at one position, and it could push Green Bay to make a move.
The big question is how much the Packers should invest. Green Bay has only $4.3 million in projected cap space for next year, which ranks 27th in the NFL, and it ranks 28th in projected space for 2028. The team also has several defensive players it may want to extend, including Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Edgerrin Cooper, and potentially Lukas Van Ness. Spending more on a veteran could damage that future cap picture.
Hargrave is worth monitoring in that equation. The Packers could realistically move on from him next offseason, especially if they trade for Buckner and want to keep him around beyond this year.
