Quenton Nelson - 'Awesome' to play for Seahawks after Colts trade - ESPN

RENTON, Wash. — Quenton Nelson felt just about the way one would expect after being traded to the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks following eight-plus seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and over 12 years in the state of Indiana.

«The reaction, I've got to admit, was a little bittersweet,» Nelson said Thursday. «I formed a lot of great relationships in Indy. Great community there. But definitely excited for this next chapter.»

Nelson, an eight-time Pro Bowl guard, spoke to reporters two days after Seattle acquired him in the latest blockbuster trade made by Seahawks general manager John Schneider, who gave up a 2027 third-round pick and a fifth-rounder in 2028.

Nelson had been the subject of trade speculation after the Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Oct. 19 amid a 2-4 start; last weekend's loss dropped them to 2-5. When asked if he expected to be dealt, Nelson said he was «just controlling what I could control, which was being my best every day and doing my best on Sunday, leaving everything up to God.»

The No. 6 pick out of Notre Dame in 2018, Nelson started 136 games for the Colts and was named a first-team All-Pro three times. When asked whether he had any say over where he was traded, he said he did not.

«No, I met with [interim Colts GM Ed Dodds] the day before the trade and he told me that they were fielding calls and there were a few teams interested, one of them being Seattle,» Nelson said. «But he said, 'How do I feel about it?' I was like, 'If that's what you guys got to do, then great.' I was happy when he called me in the next day and told me it's Seattle.»

The Seahawks are keeping Nelson at left guard, the only position he has played in the NFL, and moving 2025 first-round pick