DeForest Buckner, Philip Rivers Considered Among The NFL's Biggest Offseason Additions

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INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts opened up free agency this offseason with some major splashes when they acquired a couple of stars in defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and quarterback Philip Rivers.


Rivers was connected to the Colts on the rumor mill for weeks prior to his signing by several experts who believed Colts head coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni — both of whom, along with tight ends coach Jason Michael, crossed paths with Rivers with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers — would bring a familiar face in to help upgrade their passing game.


The acquisition of Buckner, however, was a stunner. The All-Pro wasn't even a free agent, but after allocating a lot of money to the rest of their defensive line, the San Francisco 49ers decided to trade Buckner to the Colts in exchange for the Colts' first-round (13th-overall) pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.


Both moves were met with plenty of praise as the team fortified an already-dangerous, up-and-coming defense as well as upgraded a passing game that needed it; in fact, the acquisition of Buckner and Rivers are considered by many media members as among the best in the league this offseason.