Quenton Nelson and Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts
Quenton Nelson and Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts
The Minnesota Vikings are 6-0 after Sunday’s 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, and the NFL trade deadline is now just two weeks away (3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 10).
The Vikings have a few different positions that need upgrading, if they find the right deal before then. However, there’s no group that needs it more than interior offensive line, after Donovan Jackson went out for the season with a torn meniscus.
Currently, undrafted swing lineman Joe Huber has been starting at left guard (and playing pretty well). He’s sandwiched between left tackle Christian Darrisaw (when available) and center Blake Brandel, who’s in the last year of his contract.
Nice rep from Joe Huber handling the stunt & keeping his feet active. Going to need a lot more where this came from! 🙏🏻 https://t.co/3KESCAc9QP
— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) October 5, 2026
Meanwhile, right guard Will Fries (who’s been somewhat underwhelming since arriving last offseason) has no guaranteed money left on his deal if Minnesota cuts him before mid-March.
The Vikings’ interior offensive line needs made them a popular landing spot in trade-deadline speculation for Colts guard, Quenton Nelson, who’s widely-considered the best interior offensive lineman available on the trade market.
Minnesota Vikings miss on Quenton Nelson as Seahawks land Colts guard
Alec Lewis (The Athletic), for example, listed Nelson among the Vikings’ realistic interior o-line trade targets. CBS Sports named Minnesota as a possible destination for him, as well. On Tuesday, the market’s top guard was indeed moved… but the Vikings are not involved.
Instead, Tom Pelissero (The Ringer, Netflix) broke the news Tuesday that Seattle is sending a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to Indianapolis for the eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro. Indianapolis took him sixth overall out of Notre Dame in 2018, and he played against Minnesota in Sunday’s loss.
Trade! The Colts are sending eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports. https://t.co/O1EN6vHWSF
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 27, 2026
Nelson ranks third among 74 qualified guards this season with an 85.7 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus, and has allowed six pressures and no sacks on 275 pass-blocking snaps. Huber, who has started at left guard since Jackson’s injury, ranks 48th among those 74 guards with a 56.9 pass-blocking grade.
Nelson’s lowest-graded game of the season came Sunday against Minnesota (60.2), while Huber posted his best (70.5) in the same game, including a team-high 82.8 pass-blocking grade. Of course, it’s important to note that Huber was not blocking against Brian Flores and the Vikings’ top-ranked defense.
Absolutely love Quenton Nelson going to the Seahawks to immediately boost the run game: *Seahawks runs aimed at left B Gap: 2.75 yards per carry *Colts runs aimed at left B gap: 5.90 yards per carry *Long reel of Nelson (LG/56) making a bunch of different blocks in ’26 https://t.co/vik2yM8wiM
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) October 27, 2026
The financial cost of Nelson trade for Colts and Vikings Seahawks
Nelson, who was drafted by the Colts sixth overall in 2018, is in the final year of a four-year, $80 million extension with a $24.2 million cap hit in 2026, per Spotrac.
Seattle takes on the rest of his $16 million base salary, the Colts keep $8.2 million in dead money, and Nelson is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
I believe the Vikings had was some interest in Quenton Nelson, but ultimately he is going to Nolan Teasley’s former team in Seattle.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 27, 2026
Related: Report: Vikings Could Be in on Top Trade Deadline Prize
Other interior linemen floated as possible Vikings targets include Tyler Steen, Ben Bredeson and Hjalte Froholdt, per Lewis.