Next offseason, the Indianapolis Colts could look extremely different. The hope, of course, is that things mostly stay the same as this offseason. That would likely mean the team made the playoffs, and coaches and players don't leave.
One of the players who could go is left guard Quenton Nelson, probably a future Pro Football Hall of Famer. He's never missed making the Pro Bowl in his eight years in the NFL, after all. But his contract is up after the 2026 season, and he could leave in free agency. The positive part is that he isn't thinking that far ahead and maybe not about his future financial situation at all.
Speaking to the media recently, Nelson offered three important words as part of his response: "I'm all ball."
Quenton Nelson is not worried about his financial future with the Indianapolis Colts
In other words, the great offensive lineman is going to play as well as he can, which is a higher level than most left guards who have ever been a part of the league, and let the contract issue settle itself. Nelson also likely knows that if the Colts don't pay him a lot of money, some other team will.
Indy has a bit of a quandary next offseason, unless general manager Chris Ballard is much more aggressive about working out extensions with players than he normally is. If Nelson were the only key Indianapolis player headed for free agency next offseason, the team could play the franchise tag on him.
He isn't, though. Running back Jonathan Taylor is also going to be a free agent next offseason unless he is signed to an extension before then. That means the Indianapolis Colts could be faced with the decision of which player to tag: Nelson or Taylor. Or, the other option, neither.
Much of what happens could be based on how good or bad the team is in 2026. If Indy doesn't make the playoffs this coming season, Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen could be out of a job. That means someone else would be deciding how much to offer Quenton Nelson in free agency.
If the potential new GM decides the team needs a complete reset and rebuild, which could also mean releasing quarterback Daniel Jones and saving $38 million, then Nelson could be playing elsewhere in 2027, and Jonathan Taylor, too. As for Quenton Nelson, he isn't worried about that scenario currently; he's all ball.
Add us as a preferred source on Google