The Indianapolis Colts traded guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, a deal Seattle says is pending a physical. The Colts are selling.
As of Oct. 28, 2026, 9:56 AM PT. Facts checked against the sources listed below.
What Seattle is getting
Nelson has been one of the best guards of his generation. He was the sixth overall pick in 2018, a first-team All-Pro in each of his first three seasons, and has made the Pro Bowl in all eight of his full seasons. Seahawks.com points out that only he and Hall of Famer Joe Thomas made the Pro Bowl in each of their first eight years as offensive linemen. He has started 136 games, per the Colts, and has missed only four games in nine seasons.
This year, per Pro Football Reference numbers cited by the Seahawks, Nelson hasn't allowed a sack in 275 pass-block snaps.
For the defending champs, the fit is obvious. AP framed it plainly: Seattle's ground game has been struggling. The Seahawks are 4-3 and just held the Chiefs to three points, but consistency on offense has been the issue all year. Seattle also expects several compensatory picks next spring after losing Boye Mafe, Kenneth Walker III, Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant in free agency, which softens the cost.
Why Indy did it
The Colts are 2-5 and fired general manager Chris Ballard last week. Ballard was the one who drafted Nelson. Under interim GM Ed Dodds, the team is clearly collecting picks. Nelson was the first of two deals Tuesday; DeForest Buckner went to San Francisco hours later.
Colts.com says 2026 fourth-round pick Jalen Farmer could get a look at left guard.
After both trades, Indianapolis holds extra 2027 third- and fourth-round picks and an extra 2028 fifth, plus all of its own picks in 2028.
The bigger picture
The trade deadline is Nov. 10, per Yahoo Sports, which gives everyone two more weeks. When a team moves a player like Nelson this early, it usually means more is coming. If you are a contender looking for help, Indianapolis just put up the open sign.
Related: The Colts' second trade: DeForest Buckner to the 49ers · Seahawks shut down the Chiefs, 20-3
