The Colts traded superstar guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday for a 2027 third-round pick and a fifth-rounder in 2028, per multiple reports.
That’s a big deal. One of the top players on the trading block was moved well ahead of the NFL trade deadline, with decent compensation going to Indianapolis for a player on an expiring contract.
Nelson has been an elite guard for his entire career, with eight Pro Bowls and three first-team All Pro honors to his credit.
The Colts are in the tank and just fired their general manager, so a fire sale seems to be in the works.
Nelson would provide an upgrade to most any team at left guard. It’s safe to count the Commanders in that group. The benefits of Nelson over Chris Paul would be massive and create an excellent interior offensive alongside center Lucas Patrick and right guard Sam Cosmi.
Should Commanders general manager Adam Peters have pushed harder to get Nelson? While Washington is 1-4-1, they’re somehow right in the thick of a sad NFC East title race. That would’ve been an aggressive move for a team with that record, but the schedule gets easier from here on out.
Nelson could get this offense going. There’s no doubt about that.
Our Mark Tyler made a pitch for the Commanders make a move for Nelson, citing the guaranteed return in Nelson as compared to the suspect quality of Peters draft picks. Here’s an excerpt from Tyler’s Take (you can read the whole thing here:
“It secures left guard (a position Washington has struggled to find consistency and solid play) for the foreseeable future.
Nelson and Sam Cosmi give Washington arguably the league’s best guard tandem.
With the return of Laremy Tunsil, the Commanders would have THREE Blues along the offensive line.
Most importantly, he provides protection for Jayden Daniels and should make life easier in the rushing attack.
Since he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2024, fans have literally BEGGED to surround Jayden with pieces, so he won’t have to play Superman every time he takes the field. Currently, through six weeks, Daniels is the most pressured quarterback in the NFL in time to throw. Trading for Nelson could help turn this around.”
The Commanders have the cap space to offer an extension to Nelson, which surely would’ve been part of any trade proposal.
Would you have made the same deal the Seahawks made? Let us know in the comments below:
