The Falcons’ new deal for Matthew Bergeron just changed the conversation for Quenton Nelson.
On Saturday, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Atlanta and its offensive guard had agreed to a four-year extension worth as much as $96 million, with $60 million guaranteed. Bergeron has been a solid player, but he is not in Nelson’s class. According to Pro Football Focus, the highest Bergeron has ranked at his position in three NFL seasons is 20th.
Nelson, meanwhile, is operating on a completely different level. He has made the Pro Bowl in all eight of his seasons, and he has been named First-Team All-Pro three times and Second-Team All-Pro three times. Over the last two seasons, PFF ranked him fourth and fifth at his position.
That’s why the Bergeron contract matters in Indianapolis. Nelson is in the final year of his current deal, just like Jonathan Taylor, and Colts general manager Chris Ballard has a history of moving slowly on extensions. He has not rushed to lock Nelson in, even though Nelson is the kind of player who usually gets handled differently.
Bergeron’s extension should only push Nelson’s asking price higher. If a guard with Bergeron’s résumé can land $24 million per year, then Nelson’s camp has every reason to aim higher. Bergeron is 26, while Nelson is 30, but the Colts’ left guard has already proven far more and is still playing at a level that separates him from most players at his position.
The reality is that Nelson is going to get paid next offseason one way or another. If it’s not Indianapolis, some team will make the offer. The Colts may not even be able to use the franchise tag on him, with the possibility that they need that for Taylor instead.
For Nelson, the market just got a little more interesting. And for the Colts, the number they’ll need to meet just got bigger.
In Other News...
Anthony Richardson Just Put The Colts In A Tough Spot
Anthony Richardsons status has quietly become one of the more awkward storylines hanging over the Colts as the season approaches. A former first-round quarterback who was once supposed to be part of the franchises long-term answer is now sitting behind Daniel Jones, and his contract structure only adds another layer to the situation for Indianapolis.
The part the Colts have to sort through now is less about talent than leverage. Richardson has not withdrawn his trade request, and Chris Ballard has already made clear the team would rather get draft value back than carry him on the roster into the final year of his deal. That leaves Indianapolis weighing whether to hold firm or keep listening, with a team like the Jets looming as the kind of quarterback-needy partner that could make the next conversation a complicated one. [Read more 🡒]
Daniel Jones Just Changed The Feel Of The Colts Quarterback Battle
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The details of the work matter because Indianapolis is still sorting out how the depth chart looks with Anthony Richardson Sr. and rookie Riley Leonard also getting reps. Jones timing and command stood out enough to alter the feel of the battle, while Leonard was more active in the rotation and Richardson got his turns as well, leaving the Colts with more to study once the full offense is back together. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Is Putting Colts On The Spot Again
Jonathan Taylor has been back in the Colts good graces for a while now, and the latest contract conversation feels a lot different from the last one. After the holdout that led to his three-year, $42 million extension, Taylor has continued to show up as the centerpiece of the offense, which is exactly why every word around his future carries extra weight in Indianapolis.
What makes this round of talks notable is the tone. Taylor has taken a cooperative approach and made it clear he wants to stay with the Colts long-term, a stance that stands in contrast to some younger running backs around the league who are pushing harder for new deals. For the Colts, the challenge is less about wondering whether Taylor wants to be part of the plan and more about whether the front office can keep one of its most important players content for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]