Reports from last week indicated that the Indianapolis Colts could start selling multiple players ahead of the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline if they lost to the Minnesota Vikings to fall to 2-5 this past Sunday.
Following the Colts’ 16-10 defeat in Minnesota, their fire sale has seemingly begun.
What Colts got in return from Quenton Nelson
On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed that the Colts are trading eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Schefter added that the Seahawks are sending a 2027 third-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Colts for Nelson’s services.
Nelson is on an expiring contract, and it was unclear as of early Tuesday afternoon whether he and the Seahawks could agree to any kind of extension. Schefter also pointed out that current Colts interim general manager Ed Dodds worked for the Seahawks from 2007 to 2016. Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired former general manager Chris Ballard following the club’s Week 6 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans.
What this means for Seahawks, Colts
The Seahawks’ offense seemingly needed some help before the club notched an impressive 20-3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs that improved Seattle to 4-3 this past Sunday night. Seattle now features a 30-year-old who is widely seen as one of the best guards in the league.
By acquiring left guard Quenton Nelson, the Seahawks now have the flexibility to move Gray Zabel to the right side of the offensive line, where he played in college.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2026
As for the Colts, Tuesday’s development is likely only the beginning in multiple ways. Running back Jonathan Taylor, defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart , wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery are reportedly among other Indianapolis players who could be traded before Nov. 10.
Additionally, the Colts’ offense getting weaker is almost certainly bad news for quarterback Daniel Jones and head coach Shane Steichen. Indianapolis could bench Jones as soon as during the club’s game at the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 1, while Steichen presumably will be shown the door in January (or sooner) unless he guides the team on an unexpected run to the playoffs.
The Nelson trade suggests that Irsay-Gordon believes the Colts have no such run in them this fall.
