© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The DeForest Buckner trade to the Indianapolis Colts was no less of a surprise to 49ers players than it was to those outside the organization. Defensive end Arik Armstead, who used to be represented by the same Lagardere Sports agency that Buckner was, attended the University of Oregon with Buckner and has been working out with Buckner this offseason, said he had no inclination the move was coming on KNBR on Thursday. The 49ers effectively traded Buckner and kept Armstead because Armstead was cheaper and Buckner’s value was higher.
Nose tackle D.J. Jones also said on KNBR on Thursday that the move hurt for about a week.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk said it was probably the toughest transaction he’s experienced in his NFL career on the Murph and Mac show on Friday.
“The DeForest trade, that probably hurt me more than any transaction that I’ve ever been a part of in my NFL career,” Juszczyk said, pointing to Buckner’s character and the fact that Juszczyk’s wife, Kristin, was (is) close with Buckner’s wife, Ashlyn. “The personal aspect hurt, like a lot.”
Listen to the full interview below.