The Seattle Seahawks made the first big move of the trade deadline, which happens on November 10, so Seattle could conceivably make even more deals by trading two draft picks to the Indianapolis Colts for left guard Quenton Nelson.
Nelson is in the last season of his deal, so to make the trade truly worth it, Seattle would need to sign the left guard to an extension. Fans don't have to worry about that right away. Currently, celebrating the addition of a high-end lineman should be enough.
Not all involved in the Seahawks organization were winners from the trade, though. One player could lose his job because of it.
Winners and losers from the Seattle Seahawks trading for Quenton Nelson
Winner: John Schneider
Another seemingly brilliant move by Schneider. He has never been afraid to make a potentially impactful trade, and that includes moves like adding Duane Brown at left tackle nearly a decade ago. The Nelson move should have the same kind of positive effect.
To make matters better, Schneider didn't give up all that much for the left guard. A third-round pick in 2027 isn't much at all, since Seattle was projected to have three third-rounders before the Nelson trade.
Winner: Brian Fleury
Fleury's scheme should be at its best with a strong running attack where the run-pass ratio is nearly equal. So far, the Seahawks have tried to do something akin to that, but have failed miserably on third downs and in the red zone. Partly, that is because the offensive line hasn't been good enough in short-yardage situations.
With Nelson, that should change. A line that features Charles Cross at left tackle (once he is healthy again), Nelson, Jalen Sundell at center, Grey Zabel at right guard (presumably), and Abe Lucas at right tackle should fix the Seahawks' issues.
Winner: Sam Darnold
Part of Darnold's issues this season is the interior pass rush getting in his face. All quarterbacks struggle with that, of course, but Darnold more than most. Nelson's ability to block for both the run and pass should help the quarterback and the running backs.
With Darnold facing less pressure, he should make fewer mistakes, and that should mean a more efficient offense. If that happens and the defense continues to be terrific, Seattle could make a deep push in the playoffs.
Loser: Anthony Bradford
With the addition of Nelson, Grey Zabel should flip to the right side. That should take effect immediately, and that means Bradford moves to a backup role. That may not happen, of course, but moving Zabel to a backup role is nonsensical.
Bradford is in the final season of his rookie deal, and suddenly being a backup does no good for his long-term contract hopes. He will likely be floating in free agency next year, with no hope of staying in Seattle.
Loser: Grey Zabel
This is a sort of. Zabel was chosen ideally to hold down the left guard spot for the rest of ever, and after a season and a half, he is likely changing to right guard, a position he might not be ready to take on. In theory, the guard spot is the same. One side to the other isn't.
The hope is that Zabel turns out to be a longtime right guard, though. Quenton Nelson shouldn't be a half-season rental, as this shouldn't be an all-in season for Seattle. Nelson should be extended and be a part of the Seahawks for a few more years, which means Zabel has to learn a new position.
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