The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly traded veteran guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Seattle is said to be sending Indianapolis a third-round pick for 2027 and a fifth-round pick for 2028.
Nelson is currently in the final year of his existing contract. He signed a four-year, $80 million extension with the Colts prior to the 2022 season. Seattle will cover the remaining $9.777 million owed to him, as detailed by The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero.
The Colts drafted the guard with the sixth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, Nelson has received Pro Bowl honors in all eight of his seasons. He has also been recognized as a three-time First-Team All-Pro and has missed just four games in his career.
If Seattle doesn’t secure an extension for the guard, he could yield a compensatory draft pick for the Seahawks in 2028 if he departs in free agency. Regarding compensatory picks, the Seahawks are anticipated to receive an additional 2027 third-round pick for Nolan Teasley, who took the position of general manager with the Vikings.
Seattle is also expected to gain compensatory picks for Kenneth Walker III, Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Boye Mafe, all of whom signed elsewhere this past offseason.
The trade of Nelson isn’t surprising, as Indianapolis is projected to undergo significant changes as the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaches. The nature of his expiring contract made him a prime candidate for a move.
The Colts released former general manager Chris Ballard on Oct. 19 and began the season with a record of 2-5. Last year at the trade deadline, Indianapolis was active in acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets in exchange for two first-round picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell.
Fast forward a year, Indy is now shifting gears and looking to gather assets.
NFL analyst Jordan Schultz has reported that the Colts are also in the market for offers on defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Star running back Jonathan Taylor has generated attention from analysts as well. One of the leading teams speculated for his potential trade was Seattle, but now Nelson has joined their roster.
