For quite a while, Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has been the source of several trade rumors, but on Wednesday morning the Colts made a move that not only seems to indicate that he will be back with the team, but also clears some valuable space on the team’s salary cap.
According to league insider Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network, the Rams have converted $5 million of Buckner’s salary to salary into a signing bonus, which is big for both him and the team.
“The #Colts converted $5 million of DT DeForest Buckner’s salary this season into a signing bonus, clearing $2.5M in cap space. He’ll still make $19.75M, which is now fully guaranteed,” Pelissero said in
The #Colts converted $5 million of DT DeForest Buckner's salary this season into a signing bonus, clearing $2.5M in cap space. He'll still make $19.75M, which is now fully guaranteed.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 12, 2023
Obviously, the now fully guaranteed $19.75 million contract would seem to indicate that the team plans to keep Buckner on the roster this season and the extra $2.5 million in salary cap space will go a long way as the team looks to rebuild its roster. It’s a big move, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Signals that the Colts are keeping Buckner & that the NFLRum's trade rumor was false.
Colts freed up $2.5m with this restructure & now sit at $22.4m cap space for 2023, 4th most in the NFL.
Only question is, besides rewarding Buckner, what are they freeing the cap for? https://t.co/ELw65vUyMS pic.twitter.com/QgbMcuH6gh
— Jay Robins 🧾mark (@RobinsLucas) April 12, 2023
Don't think the Colts are trading Buckner, folks (not that they ever were but I know the rumor was out there). https://t.co/ksWY6G1tr6
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) April 12, 2023
This man was never going anywhere https://t.co/9dWixMfFSC
— Kevin Hickey (@KevinHickey11) April 12, 2023
@PFF_Brad – any thoughts as to why they did this? They seem to have plenty of cap. This isn't the type of move for Lamar type cap. Is it too lower trade cap? https://t.co/YVvAgCW2oz
— Daniel Rees (@DPRees8) April 12, 2023
They should just trade him to Seattle 🤷♂️
— John Acevedo (@JEAcevedo07) April 12, 2023
A signing incoming? 🤔 https://t.co/LHX2lzPTcT
— Ʊ Bring The Juice -Colts Ʊ (@BTJPod) April 12, 2023
The Colts already had plenty of room on the salary cap, but this makes even more room for them to potentially make a splash this offseason.
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