Seattle players and coaches discussed the arrival of All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson after the team acquired him from the Colts.
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The Seahawks have acquired All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson in a trade with the Colts, and teammates shared their first reactions to the eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro joining their roster.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet and guard Quenton Nelson practiced together on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, ahead of Seattle’s upcoming Monday Night Football matchup.
Safety Julian Love said Nelson’s presence stood out immediately when both players were at Notre Dame, recalling that when he arrived as an 18-year-old freshman in 2016, Nelson was already a settled starter two years older. Love said he understood “OK, that's a pro,” and added that he once described Nelson as “the best player I ever played with.”
Love also looked back to the 2017 season, when Nelson at left guard and Mike McGlinchey at left tackle helped pave the way for running back Josh Adams’ breakout year. Love said the team repeatedly ran to the left side and that “you felt the impact” of Nelson and McGlinchey’s work.
Love said he was “pretty excited” when he learned Seattle had acquired Nelson. He called the guard “a man's man” and “a walking Hall of Famer,” adding that while he’s “a homer with a Domer bias,” Nelson is “established in this league.”
Quarterback Sam Darnold said he expects Nelson to add experience to an offense and an offensive line that came off last week’s win over the Chiefs. Darnold noted the challenges that can come with changing groups during the season, but said Nelson has handled it well and that Seattle’s offensive line has welcomed him “with open arms.”
Defensive linemen Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams said they know Nelson’s ability from experience. Murphy said Nelson “can cause a lot of problems” and pointed to his resume, describing him as capable of improving everyone around him, including in both the running game and pass protection.
Murphy said the Seahawks saw Nelson’s impact firsthand last year, and Williams echoed that familiarity by focusing on both effort and technique. Williams said, “What I remember about Quenton is his effort, also his technique,” adding that in the league, the highest-calibre players are those who pair talent with technique and effort.
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