DeForest Buckner is a defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). The 6 ft 7 in defensive lineman was picked by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL draft. The veteran lineman who will be entering his ninth pro season in 2024 has only played for two franchises in his entire career. He was ranked 8th on the top 10 defensive tackle list released by ESPN in July 2024. The three-time Pro Bowler has managed to rack up 61 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, 2 defensive touchdowns and 27 pass deflections in his NFL career to date.
The Waianae native attended Punahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii before committing to the University of Oregon in 2012. The former Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year’s 4-year tenure with the Ducks saw his defensive metrics across the board improve each year. His ridiculous college stat line read - 231 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks. His transition to pro did not affect his numbers slightly as he finished his rookie season with 73 total tackles and 6 sacks which earned him a nod to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. After getting traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, his stellar play landed him a 4-year contract extension with Indy. His extraordinary play has earned him the respect among his peers as he was voted in the NFL Top 100 for four consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2023.
DeForest Buckner Contract Breakdown
Deforest Buckner signed his contract of 2 years $46,000,000 with the Indianapolis Colts on April 15, 2024. The contract runs through the 2026 season with a potential out after the 2025 season.
| Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 2 yr(s) / $46,000,000 | $18,000,000 | $23,000,000 | $43,250,000 | $53,250,000 |
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Signing Proration | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2024 | $2,250,000 | $18,000,000 | $3,600,000 | $8,350,000 | $45,750,000 | $20,250,000 |
| 2025 | $13,000,000 | $3,600,000 | $26,600,000 | $37,400,000 | $23,000,000 | |
| 2026 | $13,000,000 | $3,600,000 | $26,600,000 | $10,800,000 | $23,000,000 | |
| 2027 | $3,600,000 | $7,200,000 | $7,200,000 | |||
| 2028 | $3,600,000 | $3,600,000 |
The details of the contract are provided below:
What are the terms of DeForest Buckner's Contract?
Buckner’s deal with the Colts included a $18,000,000 signing bonus and guaranteed him $43,250,000 at the signing, according to Spotrac. His signing proration is spread over five years at around $3.6 million annually with potential out after 2025. Buckner will receive $10 million in roster bonuses in 2025 and 2026 along with Restructure proration ($2.5 million) in 2024.
DeForest Buckner Salary
As per the terms of DeForest Buckner’s current contract with the Indianapolis Colts, he has an average annual salary of $23 million. In 2024, DeForest is set to earn a base salary of $2.25 million. The contract amounts for 2024 to carry a cap hit of $8.35 million and a dead cap value of $45.75 million.
How much does DeForest Buckner make per minute?
DeForest is set to make around $43.87 per minute in his four-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
How much of DeForest Buckner’s Contract is guaranteed?
DeForest Buckner’s deal guarantees him a total of $53.25 million in his contract with the Colts.
DeForest Buckner Contract History
DeForest Buckner has signed two contracts before signing his 2-year contract extension in 2024. His first contract was the 4-year rookie deal he signed in 2016 with the San Francisco 49ers. After getting traded to Indianapolis in 2020, Buckner signed his second contract worth $84 million with the Colts.
| Year | Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 2016 - 2020 | 4 yr(s) / $18,190,995 | $11,429,814 | $4,547,749 | $18,190,995 | $18,190,995 |
| 2020 - 2024 | 4 yr(s) / $84,000,000 | N/A | $21,000,000 | $39,378,000 | $44,378,000 |
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FAQ's on Deforest Buckner Contract
A. As of July 2024, DeForest Buckner is 30 years old.
A. Yes, Deforest Buckner has two siblings, a brother named Kenya Buckner and a sister, Shawntelle Buckner.
A. Deforest Buckner wears the number #99.
A. Deforest Buckner went to Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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