Quenton Nelson spent the last eight seasons in Indianapolis establishing himself as one of the NFL's best offensive linemen. And before that, he starred at Notre Dame before becoming a first-round pick. In other words, being traded to the Seahawks this week represented a pretty significant change for the All-Pro guard.
But while Nelson will miss his teammates and people within the Colts organization, he is also looking forward to the opportunity he has now, joining the defending Super Bowl champs.
"A little bittersweet," Nelson said on Thursday prior to his first practice with the Seahawks. "Formed a lot of great relationships in Indy. Great community there, but definitely excited for this next chapter. Being here in Seattle, driving in and then the couple times I've played here, it's a beautiful state, a cool city. All the nature here is sick. Getting to meet some of the guys, everyone's been super welcoming already and the coaches as well. It's a family here. The equipment (staff), the trainers, it's been a great day and a half so far."
With the Colts struggling and moving on from their general manager midway through the 2026 season, there had been plenty of speculation that Nelson and other top players could be on the move, and while he didn't know what his future would hold coming into this week, he is happy that Seattle was where he landed.
"It's special," he said. "I'm honored that this team wanted me, that the GM and coaches wanted me here to add to their already amazing team. I'm truly humbled by that."
In adding Nelson, the Seahawks are getting one of two offensive linemen in league history to be a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first eight seasons, along with Hall of Fame tackle Joe Thomas, as well as a three-time first-team All-Pro and two-time second-team All-Pro. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Nelson will stick to his usual spot at left guard, with Grey Zabel moving from left to right guard. Macdonald was sure to point out that the Seahawks added Nelson not because they didn't like the players they have at guard, including Anthony Bradford, who will move to a reserve role, but rather because they couldn't pass up a chance to add a rare talent like Nelson.
"Obviously, we're really excited to have the opportunity to acquire Quenton Nelson. John (Schneider) and his team did a great job of making that happen," Macdonald said. "We're excited for him to join our squad, join the 12s.
"Also, I feel like it's necessary to say, I think our offensive line probably played their best game of the season this past Sunday night. I just want to be clear that this isn't a commentary on any of our personnel or anything like that. We love our guys. It's a situation where you understand how it affects the guys that have been here and are working really hard, and have earned a great role on our team, but also, two things can be true that the same time. It's an opportunity to bring along probably a surefire Hall of Fame guard with a great track record, and from our understanding of the type of person he is to join our locker room, it's an opportunity that is going to make the Seahawks better."
Macdonald went on to praise the effort and physicality Nelson can bring to the team, saying, "The style of play is the first thing you think of when you think of Quenton. Obviously, he's got incredible ability, but the physicality, the relentless play -- we talk about decisive, shocking, relentless, that's probably a good way to sum up what it looks like on tape."
Said defensive tackle Leonard Williams, who played against Nelson last year: "He's a great player. It's a great pickup for us. He's going to help us win games, and he's also going to bring leadership and experience to our team."
Asked what makes Nelson unique, Williams added: "It's his effort for being such a talented guy. Sometimes you see guys that are very talented kind of take plays off, or not finish at the end, but he's the type of guy where he's going to finish to the whistle and play all out on every play."
Nelson acknowledged he has a lot of learning to do to get caught up ahead of Monday night's game against the Bears, and said he was in the building late Wednesday with center Jalen Sundell to learn the offensive line calls. But there is also enough overlap in what the Colts do and what Seattle does offensively that he and the Seahawks are confident he will be ready by Monday.
"It's a lot of the same stuff, just different terminology," Nelson said. "A lot of different terminology, so I'm trying to learn that. Coach Q (Quinshon Odom) and JB (John Benton), we met a lot all throughout the day yesterday and are just pouring everything into me, so I appreciate them. Also, Sundell stayed around, which was nice. He was there with me all night last night answering any questions I got. The guys here have been great so far."
The Seahawks acquired eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts. Check out the best photos of Nelson throughout the years.
Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson is seen during warmups of an NCAA football game against Southern California, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2017, file photo, Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson defends the line during the first half of an NCAA football game against Southern California,in South Bend, Ind. Neldson is expected to be a first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson goes up against Southern California defensive tackle Brandon Pili (91) during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson, right, stands on the field with offensive guard Jeremy Vujnovich, left, before an NFL football preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2018, file photo, Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson blocks during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. On Friday, Darius Leonard and Quenton Nelson were rewarded for their remarkable debut seasons by becoming the second set of rookie teammates to be named first-team All-Pro. Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus were the other players to achieve the feat in 1965 and both went on to have Hall of Fame careers with the Bears. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks bagainst the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56), center, and offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (74), right, set up to block during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) plays against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) sets up to block during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
AFC guard Quenton Nelson (56), of the Indianapolis Colts, sets up to block at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the NFC Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) drops back into pass protection during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie (69) during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) takes the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) plays against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) runs out to block Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Joe Schobert (47) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) drops back into pass protection during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) drops into pass protection during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (56) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) drops into pass protection during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (78) Quenton Nelson (56) Matt Pryor (69) line up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, September 11, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) sets to block during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) warms up before an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) is seen during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 54-19. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) drops back into pass protection during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks during the first half on an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Tyler Lacy (93) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) is congratulated by fans after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) walks to the huddle during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Lions defeated the Colts 24-6. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) moves out to block during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Titans 38-30. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) drops into pass protection during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 26-23. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) lines up during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) runs out of the tunnel before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, November 9, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. The Colts defeated the Falcons in overtime, 31-25. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) drops into pass protection during an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks Detroit Lions defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard (50) during an NFL preseason football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) plays against Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles (52) during the second half of an NFL football game in London on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Bettcher)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
