
Chargers GM shuts down Johnston trade rumors
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz shuts down trade rumors about Quentin Johnston.
Quenton Nelson, a standout guard for the Indianapolis Colts, has proven to be one of the NFL's top interior offensive linemen since 2018. With multiple All-Pro selections and impressive pass-blocking stats, the Colts should secure his future with the team.
Nov 30, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
There are a lot of decisions the Colts have to get right over the next year; the one with Quenton Nelson isnāt one of the complicated ones.
Nelson has been one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL since he entered the league in 2018. The resume speaks for itself: three First-Team All-Pro selections, three Second-Team All-Pros, and eight Pro Bowls. He has consistently played at an elite level regardless of who is around him or what the offense looks like.
Over 5,100+ pass blocking snaps, Nelson has allowed just 14 sacks, 36 hits, and 111 hurries. Those are elite numbers across the board, especially given the volume. Heās not just good for a guard, heās one of the most reliable pass protectors in football.
He also just turned 30. That matters because this is still the middle of his prime. Historically, top-level offensive linemen maintain peak performance into their early 30s, with many continuing to play at a decently high level through 34 or 35. Nelson is right in that window, and based on his play style and track record, thereās no reason to expect a sudden drop-off.
His durability is also on a different level. Nelson has missed just three games in 132 career appearances. In a league where availability is often half the battle, that level of consistency is rare. Youāre getting elite production and a player who is on the field every week.
There are not many players in the NFL you can project this confidently. Nelson is one of the safest bets you can make at any position. He produces, he stays healthy, and heās still firmly in his prime with multiple quality years ahead.
Nelson is currently playing on a four-year, $80 million extension with $60 million guaranteed.
Quenton Nelson has three First-Team All-Pro selections, three Second-Team All-Pros, and eight Pro Bowl appearances.
In over 5,100 pass-blocking snaps, Quenton Nelson has allowed just 14 sacks.
Quenton Nelson is regarded as elite due to his consistent performance, allowing minimal pressures and being a reliable pass protector.
Quenton Nelson significantly strengthens the Colts' offensive line, providing elite protection and stability regardless of the offensive scheme.

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At the time it was signed, it reset the guard market. Looking back now, itās arguably a bargain given his level of play and how the market has continued to rise.
Heās entering the final year of that contract with a cap hit of $24.2 million in 2026. If the Colts do nothing, he would hit free agency in 2027 as an unrestricted free agent.
And he wouldnāt just be another name on the market. He would be one of the premier players available at any position. Thatās not a situation the Colts should be comfortable letting play out.
The guard market has continued to climb, and Nelson should be right at the top of it again.
Right now, Tyler Smith leads the way at $24 million per year with $81 million guaranteed over four years. Trey Smith is just behind at $23.5 million per year with $70 million guaranteed. Luke Goedeke sits at $22.5 million annually, and Landon Dickerson is at $21 million per years over 4 years with $50 guaranteed..
Nelson belongs above all of them. Not just because of past production, but because of sustained elite play over time. He has been more consistent, more durable, more proven than any of those players and as mentioned above, he is still in the middle of his prime.
With the salary cap increasing by roughly 7 percent per year, a new deal should reflect that growth. If you apply that increase to the current top of the market, Nelsonās number naturally pushes into the mid-$25 million range annually.
A realistic projection looks like this:
Four years, $103 million total ($25.75 million per year) with $77 million guaranteed
That structure keeps him at the top of the market while aligning with how recent deals have been built. Four years remains the standard, and roughly 75 percent guaranteed fits with the upper tier of contracts at the position. More importantly, it locks in one of your core players through the remainder of his prime.
The Colts just went through a messy process with Alec Pierce, where waiting created unnecessary complications and thereās no reason to repeat that here.
Nelsonās value is stable. You know exactly what he is as a player. But the longer you wait, the more variables you introduce. One down year can change the conversation. Free agency always brings risk. And once a player gets that close to the open market, decisions become less predictable.
This is one of those situations where you act early and avoid all of that. Donāt mess around with Quenton Nelson!
He has earned everything heās made with this team, and this next contract should reflect both his production and his importance to the organization. Itās not a thank-you deal as heās still one of the best guards in football. But if the Colts want to reward their own and build stability into the roster, this is where it starts.
Make him a Colt for life!