Source: Kathryn Riley / Getty
And the selling has begun.
Two weeks out from the 2026 NFL trade deadline, the Colts traded future Hall of Fame guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Colts returning draft capital is reportedly for a third-round pick in 2027 and a fifth-round pick in 2028.
When the Colts and Nelson couldn’t come to terms on a new contract this offseason it created the first major seed of doubt in this marriage continuing. Playing on an expiring contract at 30 years old, Nelson was going to be an intriguing trade candidate. Fuel to that fire was added last week when the Colts fired Chris Ballard.
In the immediacy, this move opens the door for rookie 4th round pick Jalen Farmer to get a massive opportunity with the starting unit. And it allows for the Colts to incrementally recoup the massive draft capital they lost by trading for Sauce Gardner last year.
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For those questioning if the Colts got enough in return for Nelson, the All-Pro guard not being under contract for 2027 is a major reason for Tuesday’s actions.
There was no guarantee Nelson would be back for 2027. With all of the uncertainty on Nelson’s side of things, plus a new GM potentially having questions about paying a 30-year-old guard top of the market money, you come to such a conclusion.
The Seattle connection comes from Colts interim GM Ed Dodds working previously working in the Seahawks organization.
And now the question becomes how much more selling is there?
Deforest Buckner seems to be most likely as next up, given his recent expiring contract. And what about Jonathan Taylor?
Welcome to the Colts rebuild, whether you like it not.