INDIANAPOLIS — DeForest Buckner has given almost everything to the Colts.
Buckner has played through dislocated joints and torn ligaments, put off surgery on a herniated disc to try to return, flown to Panama for treatment and often been the locker-room voice willing to speak plainly when the franchise is in trouble.
Four years ago, Buckner decided to stay in Indianapolis rather than request a trade after the disastrous 2022 season, convinced by Colts general manager Chris Ballard that there was a vision to move forward.
Ballard is gone now.
The general manager’s vision never materialized. While Buckner remains one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles, once again the Colts’ best pass rusher after fighting his way back from that herniated disc in his neck, the rest of the Indianapolis roster has not risen to his level.
Buckner is now the subject of trade speculation, the kind of difference-maker who could be a final piece for a team hoping to contend.
The 32-year-old tried to brush past those questions Thursday.
“Right now, I’m just focused on the Vikings,” Buckner said.
Buckner leads the Colts in sacks (4), tackles for loss (4) and quarterback hits (8), and his three pass breakups are only one off the team lead.
His motor still runs higher than most. Buckner’s 26 tackles rank fourth on the team, higher than most defensive tackles, and he played a critical role in the team’s London win over the Commanders by running down Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota twice on hustle plays.
If Indianapolis continues to struggle before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, the Colts might decide to start a rebuild by dealing a player like Buckner in exchange for draft picks for the new general manager.
“We’ll see,” Buckner said. “If that happens, we’ll see how that goes.”
Buckner avoided opening up on questions about a potential trade.
He remains the team’s backbone.
“I have no regrets or anything about coming to Indy,” Buckner said. “I love Indy, my family was able to grow here, we built a lot of great relationships here in the building and outside. I have no regrets.”
But the big defensive tackle did acknowledge that he’s at a point in his career where his priorities have changed. Buckner played in a Super Bowl the year before coming to Indianapolis and nearly led the 49ers to a victory; he’s been to the playoffs only one time, and that opportunity came in his first year with the Colts.
“All I care about is winning,” Buckner said. “That’s my main thing. Winning and being able to compete for Super Bowls.”
Indianapolis feels a long way from reaching those goals right now.
Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon wrote this week that she still expects to compete and win football games this season.
The reality is that an NFL team does not fire its general manager six games into the season because it’s established itself as a contender.
“I know how it works, but it’s just distractions right now,” Buckner said. “I have a job to do, and my job is to prepare my best this week to help my team and beat the Vikings.”
If the Colts can’t beat the Vikings, or the Jaguars after that, teams will likely come calling.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts star DeForest Buckner evades trade talk but he wants chance to win