The truth of the matter is, Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson would be an upgrade on most teams around the NFL.
The big question with just two weeks before the 2026 NFL trade deadline (November 10) is simple: Who needs him the most?
If the Colts are having some sort of fire sale at the NFL trade deadline, and Nelson -- a free agent in the Spring -- is actually available, teams will be lined up to trade for him. In the middle of an NFL season, you're not going to find a better potential upgrade for your offensive line than this.
While many teams will likely call about Nelson's price tag and availability, these three teams need him the most.
3 teams that need Quenton Nelson the most at the 2026 NFL trade deadline
1. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have had significant offensive line issues dating back to last season, and that has continued into the 2026 campaign.
With one of their best linemen -- Mike Onwenu -- on the shelf right now due to an ankle injury, the need for offensive line help is only heightened. The Patriots have a patchwork group up front at the moment, so adding someone like Quenton Nelson would be huge for Drake Maye and that New England running game.
Trading for Nelson now -- and getting him signed to a contract extension -- could give the Patriots one of the best guard duos for years to come when Onwenu is healthy enough to return to the field.
2. Denver Broncos
During the 2026 offseason, the Denver Broncos signaled that they are not overly thrilled with their play at the left guard position. They asked Ben Powers to take a pay cut after an injury-plagued 2025 season (which he did), they drafted a possible future replacement in Kage Casey, and they didn't allow last year's replacement starter -- Alex Palczewski -- to even compete for a starting job in 2026.
The Broncos know their current setup at left guard is of the "not for long" variety, so this is an opportunity to get a long-term fixture at the position.
Considering the team already has one of the best guards in the NFL in Quinn Meinerz on the right side, the possibility of adding Nelson to the mix and boasting the best guard duo in the league has to be enticing.
Not to mention, the Broncos would be reuniting Nelson and right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who were college teammates at Notre Dame.
3. Green Bay Packers
There may not be a team in the NFL this season that is more desperate for offensive line help than the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers have gone out and added players like Laken Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton in recent weeks because of how badly the offensive line played in the first handful of games of the season. The Packers saw the way Jordan Love was taking hit after hit, and they decided that they had to "break in case of emergency".
Nelson would legitimately step in and be the Packers' best offensive lineman immediately.
The Packers have been much more aggressive in adding players via trade when they see opportunities, and Nelson would be a wise pickup both now and for the long haul.
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