Quenton Nelson is already settling into Seattle the way a seasoned veteran should: with a low-five from Cooper Kupp, a new locker room to learn, and a massive role waiting for him on Monday night.
The Seahawks landed the six-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl guard from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, sending over a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. On Thursday, Nelson met the Seattle media for the first time at the team’s practice facility in Renton and made it clear he understands exactly why he’s here.
“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.”
Seattle is 4-3, and head coach Mike Macdonald pointed to the Seahawks’ 20-3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday as possibly their best offensive line performance of the season. Even with that in mind, general manager John Schneider moved quickly to add a player with Nelson’s résumé to a line that has had its share of issues 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 move is already reshaping the Seahawks’ front. Nelson will slot in at left guard, where he has played throughout his football career since entering Notre Dame’s starting lineup. Macdonald said the plan is for Nelson to start Monday night against the Chicago Bears.
That shift pushes Grey Zabel over to right guard. Seattle’s 2025 first-round pick said he’s ready for the change, noting he made roughly half of his 41 starts at North Dakota State on the right side. He also sees the move as a chance to pick up plenty from one of the NFL’s premier linemen.
“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.”
Anthony Bradford, who had just returned from injury, will move to the bench to make room for Zabel. The expectation in Seattle is that Nelson’s arrival should help in two big areas right away: opening lanes in the run game and giving Sam Darnold a cleaner pocket. Darnold has been sacked 13 times over the last four games.
For now, though, Nelson is still in the adjustment phase. He said assistant offensive line coach Quinshon Odom and offensive line coach John Benton have helped him through his first two days with the Seahawks, and center Jalen Sundell stayed late Wednesday night at Virginia Mason Athletic Center to help answer his questions.
The learning curve is steep. Nelson said Seattle’s scheme under first-year offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is “completely different” from what he played in with the Colts, which has made the whole process feel like a “whirlwind.”
There has been at least one familiar face to make the transition easier. Former Notre Dame teammate Julian Love has been checking in and even helping with the off-field side of the move.
“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.”
Nelson’s arrival comes after a turbulent week in Indianapolis. The Colts are 2-5, and after the firing of previous general manager Chris Ballard on Oct.
19, Nelson became the subject of trade talk. He said interim GM Ed Dodds told him the deal was coming, and he did not have input on where he was sent.
The move still hits hard. Nelson spent the last 12-plus years in Indiana, including his college days, after growing up in New Jersey. He built close bonds there, especially with Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr., and he said he’ll miss the friends he made along the way.
Still, he’s not dwelling on what he left behind. Nelson is treating Seattle as a fresh start, and he likes what he’s walking into.
“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.”
In injury updates, running back Jadarian Price returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant after missing games since Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. Macdonald said it’s “realistic” that Price could play against the Bears. Zach Charbonnet, who has not yet played this season because of a knee injury, was again a full participant.
Rashid Shaheed did not practice because of a knee issue, though Macdonald said he’s doing well. Left tackle Charles Cross also sat out with an ankle injury, and Macdonald said Cross is coming along “great” and is not a candidate for injured reserve. If Cross can’t go against Chicago, reserve Josh Jones is in line to start at left tackle after filling in against the Chiefs.
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