Offensive linesman Quenton Nelson has signed a four-year contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts, the team reported on Saturday night. The deal, which includes a guaranteed $60 million, will see Nelson become the highest-paid guard in NFL history.
Set to make $13.8 million this season, Nelson would have become one of the top free agents available in 2023 had the deal not been signed.
“Everyone knows what great ability he has, but I think what makes Quenton special is how smart he plays and how instinctive he is,” Colts head coach Frank Reich stated following the deal. Owner Jim Irsay agreed with this sentiment, calling Nelson “a generational player”.
Drafted sixth overall out of Notre Dame in the 2018 NFL Draft, Nelson was an All-Pro guard in each of his first three seasons with the Colts. Despite missing four games last season due to an ankle injury, Nelson attained a 94.1% pass block win rate—the 12th best among guards in the league – as well as a 71.7% run block rate; the 13th best in his position.
Nelson becomes the sixth Colts player that was drafted in 2018 to sign a second contract with the team.
