Since arriving in Indianapolis in 2020, DeForest Buckner has been the one constant bright spot on a rocky Colts defense. Now in his 11th season, Buckner remains the anchor that is single-handedly holding the Colts defense afloat.
Last season, Buckner was put on injured reserve twice throughout the season, most notably, just two days before the Colts went overseas. Fast forward to the present day, and seeing Buckner make the trip over the Atlantic and command double teams, live in the backfield and be disruptive the whole game is a reminder of what makes him so special.
Buckner has stated that he seriously contemplated hanging up the cleats after the season-ending injury last season. If that was the route that he did end up taking, I'm not too confident that the Colts would be sitting at .500 right now.
Against the Commanders, Buckner finished with a tackle for loss, a pass deflected and three QB hits.
Now if you're someone who judges a player solely off a box score, then that stat line might not get you out of your seat. But, if you were to watch every Colts defensive possession, it would quickly become evident who holds the entire unit together.
For the last decade, Buckner has been a game wrecker and a guy offensive coordinators gameplan for, but what makes him so special goes much deeper than that.
Buckner is an eight-time captain in the NFL and has had the captain patch every year since he has been in a Colts uniform.
The opening statement from Buckner’s postgame press conference after beating Washington perfectly captures why he has worn the captain’s patch for so many years.
The first words out of his mouth after a game that he quite frankly took over was a statement about how great his teammate is. That is the epitome of how a selfless leader is supposed to conduct themselves, something that is rare in today's game.
Through three different defensive coordinators, four different defensive line coaches and a single playoff appearance, the 11-year vet has never turned his back on the franchise.
With a legacy already cemented and a family waiting at home, Buckner had every reason to walk away. Instead, he chose to put all that to the side to put his body on the line every week and deliver for a franchise that hasn't always given him the help he deserves.
In a league where players often chase a ring or the highest paying salary, Buckner has chosen to weather every storm and continue to produce year in and year out. He has not received nearly as much credit as he is owed. A player that can match a game wrecking dominance with the same level of professionalism and leadership comes along once in a generation. Neither Colts fans or the franchise should ever take his presence for granted.
A 6-foot-7, 295-pound athletic freak taken seventh overall is expected to succeed. However, what Buckner has been through and how he has conducted himself his entire career is what makes him the ultimate pro.
