The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly sending eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Nelson is 30, on an expiring contract, and has been the anchor of the Colts' offensive line since Indianapolis grabbed him sixth overall in 2018. The news landed Tuesday, about a week after the team fired its general manager and with the club sitting at 2-5.
According to NFL Network, the Colts are 2-5 after Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The outlet also notes that the club fired general manager Chris Ballard on Oct. 19, which led to speculation that Indy could be sellers heading into the Nov. 10 trade deadline. A seller's market, it turns out, includes one of the best guards in football.
WTHR reports that the trade was first reported by ESPN and NFL Network, with Adam Schefter attributing the pick details to the Seahawks. The station also says the Colts may make several more trades in the coming weeks to collect draft capital.
Not Quite Official Yet
Reports differ on how finished the deal is. The Athletic reported that the deal has not been completed and is contingent on Nelson passing a physical. Meanwhile, NBC Sports describes the Colts as having agreed to the trade, with Seattle sending the third- and fifth-round picks back to Indianapolis.
No official transaction announcement from either team is included in the available reporting. Nor is it clear whether the picks carry any conditions.
A Decorated Resume and a Ticking Clock
The Athletic notes that Nelson has earned eight straight Pro Bowl nods to start his career, along with three first-team and three second-team All-Pro selections. The outlet says only one other offensive lineman in NFL history, former Cleveland Browns legend Joe Thomas, has matched the eight-straight feat. Nelson started all 136 games he played for the Colts and hasn't missed a game since 2021.
He is in the final year of a four-year, $80 million extension he signed in September 2022, per the same report. Colts Wire notes that the Seahawks would owe Nelson the remaining $9.77 million on his contract this season. CBS Sports argued the Colts should be trying to move DeForest Buckner while they still can, before he leaves for nothing in return next offseason.
What Seattle Is Buying
That production lands on Seattle's offensive line. PFF has him third among 74 qualified offensive guards in overall grade this season, with an 81.9 pass-blocking grade that also ranks third. His 82.3 run-blocking grade ranks seventh at the position.
That production lands on a Seattle line that needs it. NBC Sports points out that Seattle's offensive line ranks 21st in pass-blocking win rate and 27th in run-blocking win rate.
