Chuck Pagano offers candid reaction after Colts trade Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner

The Colts completed two veteran trades the team recorded in official announcements: defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was sent to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth‑round pick, and guard Quenton Nelson was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third‑round pick and a 2028 fifth‑round pick, the Colts’ announcements and roster records show.

Former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano shared candid thoughts about the moves in a WISH‑TV report published on 2026-11-01. Pagano compared Buckner’s market value to Jeffery Simmons and said, "I guarantee we could have got more than a fourth for D‑Buck." He also described Nelson and Buckner as "two of our leaders, two of our captains, two pillar guys," and referenced their pictures at Lucas Oil Stadium in his remarks, the WISH‑TV story records it quoting Pagano directly.

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