Seahawks Acquire Eight-Time Pro Bowl Guard
Seattle pays a third-round pick to land Quenton Nelson, while Indianapolis sells off a key asset.
By Dominic Foster ·
Quenton Nelson allowed zero sacks in the first seven games of the 2026 season. The eight-time Pro Bowl offensive guard moved from the Indianapolis Colts to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday. Seattle sent a third-round pick and a future fifth-round pick to Indianapolis in the deal.
The Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl champions. They currently hold a 2-5 record. The Colts also sit at 2-5. Indianapolis fired general manager Chris Ballard earlier this year. Ed Dodds now serves as interim general manager. He worked for Seattle from 2007 to 2016.
Seattle will pay the remaining $9.78 million on Nelson's contract. According to TruMedia, Nelson has allowed six pressures from his left guard position this season. The Seahawks' offensive line allowed the highest pressure rate in the NFL through Week 6. Quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked five times in an overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 6.
Nelson has not missed a game since the 2021 season. He earned three First Team All-Pro selections between 2018 and 2020. Seattle is expected to move Grey Zabel to right guard. Zabel was a former first-round pick. Pro Football Focus ranked the Seattle offensive line as the No. 9 unit entering Week 7.
The Seahawks have previously traded for players on expiring deals and re-signed them. They did this with Rashid Shaheed last year. Adam Schefter notes that Seattle has five compensatory picks for the upcoming draft. These picks result from the departures of Kenneth Walker III, Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Boye Mafe. Seattle also gained a third-round pick when Nolan Teasley became the general manager of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Colts receive a third-round pick and a future fifth-round pick for Nelson. This move suggests Indianapolis is selling off pieces. The team does not own its 2027 first-round pick. It sent that selection to the New York Jets in exchange for Sauce Gardner last year. Other players on expiring deals, such as Jonathan Taylor and DeForest Buckner, may also be trade candidates.
ESPN reports that the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles showed interest in Nelson before the trade was finalized on Tuesday. The Colts could have waited longer to negotiate a better package, but the window has now closed. Nelson joins a contender that needs interior line protection immediately.
The trade is effective as of Tuesday. Nelson remains under contract for the 2026 season. Seattle retains control over his future after this year. The Colts continue their rebuild process with the new draft capital.
