Stewart says Buckner trade hurt

Grover Stewart has spent the last seven seasons playing alongside DeForest Buckner on the Indianapolis Colts' defensive line. That partnership ended when the team traded Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Stewart, a 10-year veteran of the franchise, described the move as a difficult moment. He said watching one of his closest friends leave for another organization was a blow to his emotions. He called the connection a lifetime bond that cannot be broken. Stewart noted that Buckner was a team captain in every season he spent in Indianapolis. The 33-year-old tackle now feels responsible for maintaining the defensive standards Buckner set during his time in the city.

The trade is part of a larger shift for the Colts. General Manager Chris Ballard was fired, and longtime guard Quenton Nelson was traded to Seattle. Stewart is entering the final year of a three-year contract worth $39 million that he signed in March 2024. Despite the changes around him, Stewart said he focuses on completing his current task. He stated that he will continue to lead the younger players in the locker room and the team on the field.

Stewart was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. With the trade deadline set for Tuesday, November 10, at 4 p.m., Stewart addressed whether he expects to stay in Indianapolis. He said he will address his future status after the season ends. He added that his goal is to not flinch while he has a job to do.

The 2-5 Colts will travel south to face the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, November 1. The game marks the start of the next stretch for a team undergoing a major overhaul.

Stewart said he is still here to lead. He plans to keep doing his job for the remainder of the season while the organization restructures its roster.