Seahawks Acquire Quenton Nelson in Trade With Colts

Seattle general manager John Schneider traded a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to Indianapolis for three-time first-team All-Pro Quenton Nelson.

The Seattle Seahawks acquired eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder. Nelson, the No. 6 overall selection in 2018, started 136 games during his eight-plus seasons in Indianapolis. The trade occurred two days before Nelson's first practice in Seattle on Thursday, following the Colts' 2-5 start and the Oct. 19 firing of general manager Chris Ballard.

Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Nelson will remain at left guard, the position he has played for his entire NFL career. To accommodate the veteran, 2025 first-round pick Grey Zabel will move from left guard to right guard, while previous starter Anthony Bradford transitions to a backup role. The offensive line adjustment comes as left tackle Charles Cross deals with an ankle injury sustained during a 20-3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, a game in which Seattle allowed zero sacks.

Nelson is currently in the final year of a four-year, $80 million contract extension signed in 2022. He will wear No. 53 for the Seahawks, as his former No. 56 is currently assigned to outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. Nelson is expected to debut Monday night against the Chicago Bears, where he will face defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who was also recently traded from the Titans to Chicago.