After bringing back DeForest Buckner, will the 49ers make more trades?

Occasionally around this time of year, tight end George Kittle, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and offensive tackle Trent Williams will see San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch on his office patio overlooking the practice fields and begin chirping in his direction.

A few weeks ago, Kittle asked Lynch if he was trying to trade for Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack. More recently, Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner also came up both privately and publicly. Juszczyk commented "Come home" on an Instagram post from Oct. 18 that showed Buckner speaking about his frustrations in Indianapolis.

I just like to chirp him and ask what he's interested in, see if he'll give me anything," Kittle said. "We all chirp him just to see if he'll actually tell us anything."

Lynch and his staff answered in the affirmative Tuesday, striking a deal to send a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Colts to bring Buckner back to San Francisco. It was the first, but perhaps not the last, meaningful addition the 6-1 Niners made before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.

It was no secret that the 49ers have long wanted a reunion with Buckner, who was drafted by the team with the seventh overall pick in 2016. Upon trading him to Indianapolis in March 2020, Lynch said it was the "toughest thing" he'd done on the job. That held true in the ensuing years, as the 49ers failed to replace Buckner with significant draft capital (Javon Kinlaw), big free agent money (Javon Hargrave) and a smaller combination of the two (Maliek Collins).

In recent years, as the Colts struggled, bringing Buckner back has always been at least a passing thought. In 2026, with the Niners unable to consistently rush the passer, multiple injuries on the defensive line, and Buckner unhappy in Indianapolis, the conditions were right for it to become a reality.

The move elicited joy in San Francisco's locker room. Kittle, Juszczyk and wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. celebrated on social media. And now, with the rest of the bye week to evaluate the roster, one big question remains: Will the 49ers make even more big moves before the trade deadline? DEFOOOOO THE BOYS ARE BACK @DeForestBuckner @JuiceCheck44 @49ers https://t.co/jUoMNJ96Dx, George Kittle (@gkittle46) October 27, 2026 In San Francisco, nobody is denying that now is the time for urgency.

Kittle, Juszczyk and Williams might be joking when they push Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan for trade information, but there's at least a kernel of truth in it. Sometimes, that means Shanahan and Lynch seeking their input on potential acquisitions they have played with or against.