Breaking: Indianapolis Colts $21 million Star Set Depart in ‘Unlikely’ Trade Proposal
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner linked with Cincinnati Bengals in far-fetched trade proposal from Bleacher Report.
With free agency and the NFL Draft looming, ’tis the season for rampant speculation.
David Kenyon of Bleacher Report (B/R) created a series of five trades to build the next-great defense. He included Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in a deal to the Cincinnati Bengals for a just a second-round pick.
Since the Indianapolis Colts have plenty of cap space, they certainly don’t need to trade DeForest Buckner. He’s been a consistent top performer during his four seasons in Indy.
Buckner is, however, entering the final year of his contract.
If the Colts are leaning toward not extending the defensive tackle, they should entertain the idea of maximizing a return for him. Buckner would be worth at least a Day 2 selection in the 2024 NFL draft, and the Cincinnati Bengals—aggressive as it would be—can afford that.
Now, to be clear, this is a highly unlikely trade. But it sure would be a massive, much-needed upgrade for Cincinnati.
Ugh. Where to start?
The Colts and Bengals finished with identical 9-8 records last season. The Bengals lost Joe Burrow for virtually the entire seasons. He’s a more proven commodity than Colts’ quarterback Anthony Richardson who was also lost for virtually the entire season, but why would the Bengals be buyers and the Colts sellers heading into the season?
Sure Buckner has one year left on his deal, but unless he pushes for a move before the season, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle in his prime is worth more than a second-round pick in February… even with one year left on his contract.
This deal might make more sense on Halloween at the NFL Trade Deadline if the Colts are struggling. But the Colts desperately need Buckner to help bolster a defense that finished 28th in scoring last year.
Kenyon qualified his proposal that it’s highly unlikely. Why wouldn’t a Pro Bowl defensive tackle be a “massive, much-needed upgrade?” If he’s shooting for the moon on defensive tackles that fit the bill, why not go with a tag and trade of Kansas City Chiefs free agent Chris Jones?
Or Aaron Donald?
The Bengals have about as much chance of acquiring those players as Buckner.
We bring this up because we see these discussions pop up in our live podcasts. “Hey, I heard rumors that the Colts are trading DeForest Buckner to the Bengals for a second-round pick.”
No. This is just offseason water-cooler general managers spitballing ideas.
And this one won’t make it past the water cooler.
Rigoberto Sanchez Colts Free Agent Watch
INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time in a while, the Colts have a potential free agent decision to make with their punter.
Rigoberto Sanchez returned from a torn Achilles this past season to punt in all 17 games.
Sanchez missed the entire 2022 campaign after he tore his Achilles while running sprints following a training camp practice at Grand Park.
While Sanchez had a rough opening game in his return last year, he ended up having a nice campaign.
The 6th year veteran set a career-high in net punting averaging (42.8 yards, including one block). Not a single one of his 68 punts resulted in a touchback.
It’s extremely rare to see a punter go through an entire season without having a single touchback, but Sanchez did that.
Along with his normal punting responsibility, Sanchez continued to handle holding duties, this time for new kicker Matt Gay.
Originally, Sanchez was a 2017 undrafted free agent of the Colts, filling the big shoes of Pat McAfee.
The Colts signed Sanchez to a 4-year, $11.6 million deal in the 2019 offseason, with that contract now complete.
Probably the only real reason to entertain moving on from Sanchez would be to pinch a few dollars, not give a punter a third contract, which would likely mean the Colts are continuing to pay top-10 punter money.
In 2023, Sanchez still punted as a top-half of the league guy, in his return from missing a year.
On the long list of notable Colts free agents in 2023, do not forget about taking care of Sanchez, or else the team will have to find a new answer there.
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