Colts trade veteran G Quenton Nelson to Seahawks for 2 draft picks

The Indianapolis Colts had a busy day on Tuesday.

The team announced on Tuesday afternoon that they traded veteran guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks.

In return, Seattle is sending Indianapolis a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles were also interested in Nelson.

Then a few hours later, the Colts reached a deal to send defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers.

Nelson is in the final year of his current deal. He signed a four-year, $80 million extension to remain with the Colts ahead of the 2022 season. Seattle will pay the remaining $9.777 million he is owed, per The Ringer's Tom Pelissero .

Indianapolis selected the guard with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Nelson has been named to the Pro Bowl in all eight of his seasons. He has also been a three-time First-Team All-Pro and has missed just four career games.

If Seattle doesn't sign the guard to an extension, he would net the Seahawks a 2028 compensatory draft pick if he leaves in free agency. Speaking of compensatory picks, the Seahawks are expected to already get an extra 2027 third-round pick for Nolan Teasley, who left to become the Vikings' new general manager.

Seattle is also expected to receive comp picks for Kenneth Walker III, Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant and Boye Mafe, who left in free agency this past offseason.

Nelson's trade isn't a shock, as Indianapolis is projected to undergo a fire sale ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline. His expiring contract made it more likely he'd be moved.

The Colts fired former general manager Chris Ballard on Oct. 19 and started the season 2-5. Indianapolis was a buyer at last year's deadline, acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets for two first-round picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell.

Now, a year later, Indy is backtracking and is trying to acquire assets. Moving both Nelson and Buckner on Tuesday is a good start.