The Indianapolis Colts might not delay the inevitable anymore. After a disappointing 2-5 start to the season and parting ways with general manager Chris Ballard, they've officially kicked the tires on their panic sale.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Colts have sent All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks. The defending Super Bowl champions will send a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick in return.
As predictable as this may have been, it still stings. Nelson was arguably the best player on the team, but with stalled contract extension talks, the writing was on the wall even before this season's struggles.
Trading Quenton Nelson might be the beginning of the end for the Indianapolis Colts
Nelson was always expected to reset the guard market, regardless of where he played. His destination is somewhat surprising, given that the Seahawks had a promising left guard in Grey Zabel, a former first-round pick still on a rookie deal.
Even so, Mike Macdonald's team is making a big move to get back on track after a somewhat disappointing start to the campaign. They haven't moved the ball on the ground as efficiently as they'd liked, and adding the ultimate mauler to their offensive line will certainly help with that.
As for the Colts, it's slightly disappointing to see that this was the best they could do for Nelson. The November 10 trade deadline is still two weeks away, and they probably could've played their hand a bit better to get a more valuable trade package.
Nelson is, undeniably, one of the best players in the game. Of course, they weren't going to get a first-round pick for an expiring contract, but they could've at least gotten a second-rounder had they waited a bit longer.
Now, this move might be just the beginning. DeForest Buckner, Josh Downs, and maybe even Jonathan Taylor might be next in line. There's still time, but moving on from one of their locker-room leaders looks like this team may have finally waved the white flag.
The Colts will now face the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road for a must-win divisional clash, but history isn't on their side in Florida. And with the team sitting on a mediocre 3-12 record since the Sauce Gardner trade, it makes perfect sense that they try to replenish their draft capital, even if that means moving on from their stars.
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