Colts' Quenton Nelson on contract talks: 'Haven't had any discussions. That's not up to me'

WESTFIELD – Colts All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson said he’s not been involved in any discussions regarding his expiring contract as the 30-year-old approaches the start of Year 9 in Indianapolis. The former sixth-overall pick from the 2018 draft signed a four-year, $80 million extension a day before the start of the 2022 season.

The deal raised the bar on NFL guard contracts with its $20 million average annual value and $60 million in guaranteed money. Since then, Philadelphia‘s Landon Dickerson (four years, $84 million), Tampa Bay’s Luke Goedeke (four years, $90 million) and Dallas‘ Tyler Smith (four years, $96 million) have exceeded that deal. On Saturday, multiple reports around the NFL stated that Atlanta guard Matthew Bergeron had joined Smith with a four-year, $96 million deal.

Even as he enters his 30s, Nelson has remained playing at this Pro Bowl and All-Pro stature his entire career, and he remains one of the league’s best players at his position – ESPN’s poll of execs, coaches and scouts had him voted No. 2 overall entering this season.

Nelson said during OTAs he was leaving talks surrounding his future to his agent and the Colts’ front office, noting, “Worrying about it or thinking about it isn’t going to help me accomplish any of my goals, so I leave that to them.”

Said Nelson on Saturday: “I haven’t had any discussions. That’s not up to me, and I’m just really thankful to be here. I’m excited to be here, and I love this team, love my teammates.”

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Colts brass, from principal team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and longtime general manager Chris Ballard – also in a contract year – were both asked this week about the franchise’s urgency of locking down franchise pillars like Nelson, star running back Jonathan Taylor, veteran All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and receiver Josh Downs to extensions that would keep them off the free agent market and if such deals were viable for a team whose future seems to hinge so heavily on success in 2026.

By no means did either shoot down the idea, with Irsay-Gordon saying talks and decisions around contracts would be led by Ballard, who she said she believed in fully – “Chris wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe (in him),” she said. Ballard, too, said he felt he still had full ownership of that side of the job.

Irsay-Gordon, in particular, said the Colts would be willing to strike extensions “if it makes sense.”

“Just know this; we always are working towards trying to keep our own players here,” Ballard said Tuesday. “Quenton Nelson is a pilar, stands for all the right stuff … Would love to have (him) long-term. We’ll see.

“I’m always going to do the best thing for the organization. Ultimately, that’s my job. Anytime you do selfish, ulterior motives, that’s not good for the game. That’s not good for the organization. We will always do what’s best for this club. I have too much respect for the Colts. I have too much respect for what Mr. (Jim) Irsay stood for as an owner. Too much respect for (Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson) as they start their ventures as owners into this thing. We’ll always do the right thing.”

In June, Nelson made a point to mention that he is motivated by team-centric goals. In eight seasons in Indianapolis, the Colts with Nelson have made the playoffs just twice and have yet to win an AFC South title.

“The goal hasn’t changed. The approach over the years hasn’t changed as you grow up and learn things, but that’s what motivates me: winning,” Nelson said in June. “I’m extremely blessed to be in the NFL and be playing for the Colts.

“I don’t take it for granted, and I just want to win. That’s what it comes down to.”

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Coltsall season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.