Colts Trade Pro Bowl Guard Quenton Nelson to Seahawks

The Indianapolis Colts have traded Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, a move that appears to signal a broader team deconstruction before the NFL trade deadline.

The Colts, currently 2-5 on the season and on a three-game losing streak, sent Nelson to Seattle in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2028 draft. Nelson, 30, has been an eight-time Pro Bowl selection in each of his eight seasons.

This trade marks the first notable move for the Colts since the team fired general manager Chris Ballard. The team's new leadership faces the task of rebuilding a veteran roster that previously sacrificed multiple first-round picks for players like cornerback Sauce Gardner.

The Seahawks, coming off a victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, are acquiring Nelson to bolster their offensive line as they aim to defend their Super Bowl title. With Nelson's arrival, the Seahawks are expected to move 2025 first-round pick Grey Zabel from left guard to right guard, his college position.

Nelson, an anchor on the Indianapolis offensive line, is unsigned for the 2027 season. Trading him now allows the Colts to acquire draft capital, which is more immediate than a compensatory pick they might have received had he left in free agency after the 2027 season.

Other Colts players who have been identified as potential trade candidates include running back Jonathan Taylor, defensive tackles Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner, and wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen. According to a league source, multiple teams have inquired about the availability of Buckner.

These potential transactions are occurring under the interim leadership of Ed Dodds, who previously worked with Seahawks general manager John Schneider. The established relationship between Dodds and Schneider is believed to have facilitated the trade for Nelson.