Seahawks trade: Seattle acquires All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson from Colts

The Seattle Seahawks acquired All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN and The Ringer. The deal pairs two of the league's prominent front offices in a move that shifts the balance of power in the NFC West.

The Seahawks received Nelson in exchange for a third-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft and a fifth-round pick in 2028. Seattle will assume the remaining $9.777 million of Nelson's salary. Nelson is 30 years old and enters the final year of his contract, making this a short-term acquisition unless the team extends his deal.

Nelson has been with the Colts since the 2018 NFL Draft, where he was selected sixth overall out of Notre Dame. He is the first major player traded by Indianapolis since the firing of general manager Chris Ballard. The Colts, currently 2-5, are expected to sell before the November 10 trade deadline to accumulate draft capital for a rebuild. They do not own their 2027 first-round pick, which was sent away in a previous transaction for cornerback Sauce Gardner.

The addition gives the Seahawks offensive line flexibility. Nelson can play his usual left guard spot, allowing 2025 first-round pick Grey Zabel to move to right guard, a position Zabel played at North Dakota State. Seattle has previously retained players acquired on expiring contracts by using the franchise tag or signing extensions, as it did with Leonard Williams and Rasheed Shahid.

Nelson has allowed six pressures and no sacks in seven games this season, according to TruMedia. Over the last five seasons, he has permitted only five sacks. His presence should benefit quarterback Sam Darnold and the running game, which is gaining health with the expected returns of backs Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price. Nelson is a six-time All-Pro with three first-team selections.

The trade follows the Seahawks' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Seattle enters Week 8 with a 4-3 record, holding the second position in the NFC West and a spot as the No. 8 seed in the NFC. The Colts may still look to trade running back Jonathan Taylor and pass rusher DeForest Buckner before the deadline.