The NFL is beginning its annual countdown of the best 100 players in the league. The Indianapolis Colts were disrespected almost immediately. That's because left guard Quenton Nelson was chosen to be No. 99.
Indy running back Jonathan Taylor, who should rank much higher on the list, was having none of where the NFL put Nelson, though. Taylor wrote on social media, "99 is crazy work but..." He followed those words with a muscle emoji, but the intent of his message wasn't missed.
The league having Nelson as the 99th-best player in the league is far off base. The issue probably has more to do with the position that Nelson plays. Guards don't get a lot of love overall. Instead, left guards, as Nelson is, do their work quietly, but doing so with a high level of efficiency makes the entire offense better.
Jonathan Taylor's take on Quenton Nelson likely has Indianapolis Colts fans nodding
Nelson doesn't just play with a high level of efficiency, either. He performs with historic excellence. In his eight seasons, the left guard has missed just three games. He began his first three seasons by being named First-Team All-Pro. He has been named to the Second-Team in each of the past two years. He's never failed to be named to the Pro Bowl.
While he is now 30 years old, he plays a position where he can remain very good for many more seasons. He also hasn't displayed a dip in form, so any expectations that Nelson will suddenly not be as good are probably foolish. He's going to be good for a while longer.
99 is crazy work but 💪🏾🙌🏾 https://t.co/ryWLbZ6V7O
— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) June 22, 2026
The question is whether Quenton Nelson will continue to be great for the Indianapolis Colts after the 2026 season. Like Jonathan Taylor, the left guard is a free agent next offseason. General manager Chris Ballard doesn't like to be proactive in handing out extensions, though Nelson and Taylor would be good examples of players who deserve new deals. Ballard might also be financially hamstrung.
The Colts likely need to make the playoffs this coming season for Ballard to keep his job. His team has only made the playoffs twice in his nine years, and has never won the AFC South in that time. Should Indianapolis fail to reach the postseason once again (the team hasn't since 2020), Ballard should be replaced.
His giving long-term contracts to Quenton Nelson and/or Jonathan Taylor might be something the new GM wouldn't want. Plus, the new general manager wouldn't have a 2027 first-round choice to work with after Ballard dealt that to the New York Jets for Sauce Gardner.
But that's all future concerns. For 2026, Colts fans should already feel disrespected by the NFL. Nelson isn't the 99th-best player in the league. He should have ranked far higher.
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