© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
If your head is spinning, you’re not alone. 49ers players were just as shocked by the news of the team’s massive defensive line moves on Monday morning, when Arik Armstead was signed to a five-year deal worth up to $85 million and DeForest Buckner, literally moments after the Armstead deal was official, was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
With limited cap space and George Kittle due for a massive extension, the only way the 49ers could progress without making multiple cuts and locking themselves into non-guaranteed money (like Jimmy Garoppolo and Dee Ford’s contracts) was to move one of them.
Buckner will reportedly sign a deal worth roughly $21 million per year, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, making him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL, behind only Aaron Donald. 49ers players were simultaneously happy for Buckner, while disappointed by him leaving.
Fred Warner:
😔😔😔 this one hurts but couldn’t be happier for someone I look up to for being the pro/person he is, gotta take care of the fam! All love brodie🤞🏾 https://t.co/mrWDO6S75o
— Fred Warner (@fred_warner) March 16, 2020
D.J. Jones:
Nooooooooooooooooooo
— DJ Jones (@djjones_44) March 16, 2020
Dante Pettis:
— dante (@dmainy_13) March 16, 2020
Trent Taylor:
Straight baller., and an even better person! You’ll be missed big dawg. Congrats @DeForestBuckner https://t.co/KShcd20m4e
— Trent Taylor (@Trent5Taylor) March 16, 2020
Kendrick Bourne:
Ima miss my big uce! Congrats bro! Life always changes! Big bank DFO lol @DeForestBuckner 😩😩 https://t.co/CvKmyqgKBK
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) March 16, 2020
Kwon Alexander:
My dawg! Ima miss the 🧹 🧹🧹🧹🧹 celebrations! Congrats on the New Bag 🤞🏾 https://t.co/l3jBF4pT9W
— Kwon Alexander (@kwon) March 16, 2020
