Seahawks Trade Two Picks for Pro Bowl Guard Quenton Nelson

The Seattle Seahawks paid a 2027 third-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to acquire Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday. The trade brings a three-time All-Pro to a Seattle offensive line that has struggled to protect quarterback Sam Darnold consistently this season.

Nelson, 30, has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons since being drafted sixth overall out of Notre Dame in 2018. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The move addresses a weakness in Seattle's pass protection, as the team ranks 21st in the league in pass block win rate at 46.8 percent.

Seattle general manager John Schneider has a history of making large acquisitions near the trade deadline. He has previously signed or traded for players including safety Quandre Diggs, defensive end Carlos Dunlap, defensive tackle Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV, and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. The Seahawks entered this season with extra 2027 draft capital, including five projected compensatory picks from free agent departures.

Nelson is in the final year of his contract with Indianapolis, which includes a 16 million dollar base salary for 2026. He did not reach an extension agreement before the season began. The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard last week and are expected to rebuild their roster in the coming offseason. Rookie Jalen Farmer is likely to replace Nelson in the starting lineup.

The addition of Nelson complicates the depth chart at guard. Grey Zabel, Seattle's 2025 first-round pick, currently starts at left guard, while Anthony Bradford has played right guard since 2023. To make room for Nelson on the 53-man roster, Seattle waived guard Christian Haynes, who started the last five games for the team.

Nelson said he had no questions about his future in Indianapolis and remained focused on his daily performance. He expressed appreciation for the organization, noting that he met his wife there and formed strong bonds during his nine seasons with the team. The Seahawks are currently 4-3, two games behind the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.

Seattle's offensive line has not met expectations despite returning all five starters from the previous year. Left tackle Charles Cross is expected to miss time with an ankle injury, forcing Josh Jones into action. The team allowed 10 sacks and 26 quarterback hits in losses to the 49ers and Denver Broncos, though Darnold was not sacked in Sunday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs.