Colts trade Quenton Nelson to Seahawks for two draft picks; NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10

The Indianapolis Colts have started selling. On Tuesday the team traded guard Quenton Nelson, one of the best offensive linemen of his era, to the Seattle Seahawks for two future draft picks. Seattle says the deal is pending a physical.

It was the first of two big Colts trades on Tuesday. A few hours later, Indianapolis sent defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to the San Francisco 49ers.

The trade at a glance

Who is Quenton Nelson?

The Colts took Nelson out of Notre Dame with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he has started at left guard since his rookie season. According to the two teams:

• He was a first-team AP All-Pro in each of his first three seasons (2018-2020) and a second-team All-Pro three times, including each of the past two seasons.
• He has made the Pro Bowl in all eight of his seasons. Seahawks.com notes that the only other offensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons is Hall of Fame tackle Joe Thomas.
• He has started 136 games over nine seasons. The only games he has missed were four in 2021 with an ankle injury.
• This season, per Pro Football Reference numbers cited by Seattle, he hasn’t allowed a sack in 275 pass-blocking snaps.

Why the Colts made the move now

The trade came one week after co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard, the man who drafted Nelson. When Ballard was fired, the Colts were 2-4, and early reports said the team wanted to see whether it could still turn the season around. Then came Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, which dropped Indianapolis to 2-5.

ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio wrote that a possible fire sale had been tied to how the Colts did in their remaining games before the deadline. “After only one game,” he wrote, the team put up the “Everything Must Go” sign.

Colts.com says 2026 fourth-round pick Jalen Farmer could get a look at left guard now that Nelson is gone.

What Seattle gets

To make room for Nelson, the Seahawks waived guard Christian Haynes. Seahawks.com also pointed out that Seattle is projected to get several compensatory picks in next year’s draft. That helps make up for the two picks it gave up.

When is the NFL trade deadline?

The 2026 NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 10, according to Colts Wire and USA TODAY’s For The Win. Seahawks.com described Tuesday’s deal as coming two weeks before the deadline. That gives contenders and sellers about two more weekends of games to decide their next moves.

Could more Colts be traded?

The Colts have already made a second deal: Buckner to the 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Colts Wire listed defensive tackle Grover Stewart and receiver Keenan Allen as other veterans on expiring deals who could appeal to a playoff contender. So far, though, those are only possibilities. No trade involving either player has been reported as done.

Running back Jonathan Taylor has been the subject of the most speculation. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Colts ownership doesn’t want to trade him.

FAQ