The Indianapolis Colts have officially entered rebuild mode. On Tuesday, interim general manager Ed Dodds traded two franchise cornerstones in a matter of hours: eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers.
The moves sent "Quenton Nelson trade," "DeForest Buckner trade" and "Colts trade" climbing on Google as fans digested the end of an era in Indianapolis.
The Trade Details
- Quenton Nelson to Seattle: The Colts receive a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
- DeForest Buckner to San Francisco: The Colts receive a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Both players were in the final year of their contracts, so neither would have counted against the Colts' 2027 salary cap. Seattle takes on the rest of Nelson's base salary, while Indianapolis absorbs dead money on both deals.
Quenton Nelson's Colts Career
Nelson, 30, was the sixth overall pick out of Notre Dame in 2018 and quickly became one of the best guards in football. He was a first-team All-Pro in each of his first three seasons, earned second-team honors three more times and made eight Pro Bowls.
In nearly nine seasons, he protected 12 different starting quarterbacks for Indianapolis. He was playing out the final year of the four-year, $80 million extension he signed in 2022. He now joins the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, who are 4-3.
DeForest Buckner Returns to San Francisco
For Buckner, 32, the trade is a homecoming. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the 49ers before Indianapolis acquired him in 2020 for a first-round pick.
With the Colts, Buckner recorded 47 sacks and 415 combined tackles and was a first-team All-Pro in 2020. He had publicly criticized the team's direction after a loss to the Titans earlier this month. He returns to a 49ers team that is 6-1 and leads the NFC West.
Why the Colts Are Selling
Indianapolis is 2-5. The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard after a 26-20 Week 6 loss to Tennessee, ending a tenure that began in 2017, and handed control of the roster to Dodds for the rest of the season.
The rebuild comes with a painful complication: the Colts do not own their 2027 first-round pick. They sent it to the New York Jets as part of last year's trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner, so that pick will go to New York even if Indianapolis finishes with the worst record in the league.
What's Next Before the Trade Deadline
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, November 10, at 4 p.m. ET, and more moves could follow. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Josh Downs could draw interest, though the team's ownership is reportedly reluctant to move Taylor.
On the field, defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore is expected to take on a bigger role in place of Buckner. The Colts play the Jaguars in Jacksonville this Sunday, their first game without either veteran.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Quenton Nelson traded?
To the Seattle Seahawks, for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
Where was DeForest Buckner traded?
Back to the San Francisco 49ers, for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
When is the 2026 NFL trade deadline?
Tuesday, November 10, at 4 p.m. ET.