Quenton Nelson ‘honored’ to join Seahawks
Published 9:52 am Friday, October 30, 2026
RENTON, Wash. — Before Quenton Nelson addressed the media at the Seattle Seahawks’ practice facility for the first time, he and wide receiver Cooper Kupp exchanged a low-five.
Nelson, whom the Seahawks acquired from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, is still familiarizing himself with new teammates, including Kupp. He’s well aware, though, of what many of them were up to last season.
“It’s really special, and I’m honored that this team wanted me,” Nelson said. “That the GM and coaches wanted me here to add to their already amazing team.”
The way head coach Mike Macdonald sees it, Seattle (4-3) is the fortunate party in this exchange, considering Nelson’s background as a six-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection. Seattle’s offensive line played what Macdonald said was probably its best game of the season Sunday in a 20-3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even so, general manager John Schneider felt compelled to add to an offensive line that has struggled at times in 2026.
“It’s an opportunity to bring along an all-time, probably a surefire Hall of Fame guard with a great track record,” Macdonald said.
The addition of Nelson, 30, led to a shakeup on Seattle’s offensive line. Nelson will play left guard, the only position he’s played since entering Notre Dame’s starting lineup. The plan is for him to start Monday night against the Chicago Bears.
That means Grey Zabel, the Seahawks’ 2025 first-round pick, will slide over to right guard, Macdonald said. Zabel made roughly half of his 41 starts at North Dakota State on the right side, and he said he’s willing to do whatever is best for the team.
“Get to learn from an unbelievable player and person,” Zabel said of Nelson. “At the end of the day, it’s going to be such a growing experience for me, getting to move positions as well as be able to learn from a guy like that.”
Right guard Anthony Bradford, who just returned from an injury, will head to the bench to clear room for Zabel. With Nelson on the scene, though, Seattle should have an easier go when it comes to running the ball and protecting quarterback Sam Darnold, who has been sacked 13 times in the last four games.
Nelson’s tenure with the Seahawks might not last beyond this season. His four-year, $80 million deal expires after this season, and his next contract will likely fetch at least $20 million annually. Although each of Seattle’s last three deadline acquisitions who were on expiring contracts (defensive lineman Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed) signed multiyear contracts, Nelson said he hasn’t given his future much thought.
Instead, Nelson is focused on getting up to speed in the Emerald City. He said assistant offensive line coach Quinshon Odom and offensive line coach John Benton have been quite helpful two days into his Seahawks tenure. So has center Jalen Sundell, who Nelson said stuck around Virginia Mason Athletic Center late Wednesday night to answer his many questions.
Seattle’s scheme under first-year offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is “completely different” from what the Colts ran, according to Nelson, which hasn’t helped with acclimating during what has been a “whirlwind” situation.
Having a former Fighting Irish teammate in safety Julian Love, who is in his fourth season with the Seahawks, has eased the transition.
“He’s asking how my family’s been since the Notre Dame days,” Nelson said, “and saying, ‘Anything you need, if your wife needs to hang out with anyone, I could give you my wife’s number,’ and all this stuff. So, it was awesome.”
Though Nelson has gone from the Colts (2-5) to the reigning Super Bowl champions, he was left with a bittersweet feeling when Indianapolis interim general manager Ed Dodds informed him of the impending trade. Nelson, who said he did not have input on where he would be dealt, became subject to trade speculation after the Colts fired previous GM Chris Ballard on Oct. 19.
Including college, Nelson spent the last 12-plus years in Indiana after growing up in New Jersey. He developed a close connection with Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. over the past few seasons and made a group of friends he’ll miss dearly.
But Nelson is trying not to let the cross-country move get the best of him as he joins a team with championship aspirations.
“I’m looking at this as a new opportunity, and something I’m really excited about,” Nelson said. “It’s great to have all those memories and years spent in Indy, but like I said, I’m excited for this. It’s awesome over here.”
Notes: Running back Jadarian Price (chest) returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant. He has not appeared in a game since Week 3 against the Washington Commanders, and Macdonald said it’s “realistic” to think he could play against the Bears. Fellow running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) has yet to play this season but was once again a full participant in practice. … Shaheed (knee) did not practice, but Macdonald said he’s doing well. … Left tackle Charles Cross (ankle) did not practice. Macdonald said Cross is coming along “great” and is not a candidate for injured reserve. Reserve Josh Jones filled in for Cross against the Chiefs and is in line to start at left tackle against Chicago if Cross is not cleared to play.
