Colts trade eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to Seahawks

As of 7:39 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026

The Indianapolis Colts have traded eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, both teams announced Oct. 27.

ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero first reported the agreement Tuesday afternoon; the Associated Press also reported it before the clubs confirmed. The Seahawks' announcement said the deal was pending a physical; Nelson is listed on Seattle's roster.

Why now

Nelson is on an expiring contract, and the Colts are "opting to get back draft capital now before they could lose him in free agency," Schefter reported. Pelissero reported that Seattle owes Nelson the remaining $9.777 million of his 2026 salary and that he is set to become a free agent in March.

Nelson, 30, has been a fixture on Indianapolis' line since the Colts drafted him sixth overall in 2018, NFL.com reported. Schefter noted he has made the Pro Bowl in all eight of his NFL seasons, with six All-Pro selections.

The Colts are 2-5 and fired general manager Chris Ballard on Oct. 19, NFL.com reported. Seattle is 4-3. The trade deadline is Nov. 10.

Pelissero reported that the Colts had serious trade interest in Nelson and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, and said Buckner "among others" could be next. The Colts have not said whether they plan to make further trades.

What is not known

Neither club detailed how soon Nelson would play for Seattle. Buckner and other possible Colts moves remain unconfirmed by the team.