Seahawks Trade Third-Round Pick for Colts Guard Quenton Nelson

The Seattle Seahawks acquired guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 27 for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, adding a six-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection to an offensive line that has allowed 13 sacks of quarterback Sam Darnold over the last four games. General manager John Schneider made the deal after Seattle beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-3 on Oct. 26.

Nelson, 30, will start at left guard on Monday night against the Chicago Bears at Lumen Field. He has played only left guard since entering the starting lineup at Notre Dame. To make room, Grey Zabel, Seattle's 2025 first-round pick, moves from left guard to right guard. Anthony Bradford, who just returned from an injury, goes to the bench.

Head coach Mike Macdonald called Nelson 'an opportunity to bring along an all-time, probably a surefire Hall of Fame guard with a great track record.' Nelson said he had no role in choosing his destination. Indianapolis interim general manager Ed Dodds informed him of the trade. The Colts fired previous general manager Chris Ballard on Oct. 19.

Nelson spent more than 12 years in Indiana after growing up in New Jersey. He said he developed close ties to Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. and a circle of friends he will miss. 'It's really special, and I'm honored that this team wanted me,' Nelson said. 'That the GM and coaches wanted me here to add to their already amazing team.'

Zabel made roughly half of his 41 college starts at North Dakota State on the right side. He said he is willing to play wherever the team needs him. 'Get to learn from an unbelievable player and person,' Zabel said. 'At the end of the day, it's going to be such a growing experience for me, getting to move positions as well as be able to learn from a guy like that.'

Nelson's four-year, $80 million contract expires after this season, and his next deal is expected to command at least $20 million per year. He said he has not thought much about his future. Instead, he has spent his first days at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center working with offensive line coach John Benton, assistant coach Quinshon Odom, and center Jalen Sundell, who stayed late on Oct. 28 to answer his questions. Safety Julian Love, his former Notre Dame teammate, has also helped with the move. Nelson said the offensive scheme under first-year coordinator Brian Fleury is 'completely different' from what the Colts ran.

Seattle, at 4-3, hosts Chicago on Monday night. Left tackle Charles Cross did not practice this week with an ankle injury. Reserve Josh Jones filled in against Kansas City and would start if Cross is not cleared. Running back Jadarian Price returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant after a chest injury, and Zach Charbonnet was a full participant in practice. Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed sat out practice with a knee injury.