Nelson to start at left guard Monday as Seattle's line changes

Quenton Nelson will play left guard for the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night against the Chicago Bears.

The move follows a midseason trade completed on Tuesday, in which Seattle acquired the guard from Indianapolis for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

General manager John Schneider made this the fourth consecutive year the Seahawks have added a player via trade before the deadline. Previous additions include Leonard Williams in 2023, Ernest Jones IV in 2024, and Rashid Shaheed in 2025.

Head coach Mike Macdonald said he expects Nelson to make his debut in the upcoming game. Nelson will take the starting left guard position. Grey Zabel will move to right guard.

This change pushes Anthony Bradford to a backup role. Bradford had just returned from a month on injured reserve and played in the previous Sunday's game.

In that game, Seattle defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-3. The team gained 410 yards of total offense and 153 yards on the ground. Running back Emanuel Wilson ran for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Macdonald noted that the offensive line likely played its best game of the season in that victory. He stated that the personnel change is not a commentary on the players' recent performance.

"We love our guys," Macdonald said. "It's a situation where you understand how it affects the guys that have been here and working really hard and have earned a great role on our team."

The offensive line will have three new starters compared to last week. Charles Cross, who suffered an ankle sprain, is likely to sit out. Josh Jones will start at tackle in his place.

Nelson has spent the past day and a half in Seattle learning the offense. He described the system as a complete shift from what he has known.

"It's completely different," Nelson said. "You got to step in and play left guard and get a whole offense installed, new protection, learn that as well, and be ready to go on Monday."

Nelson credited center Jalen Sundell for helping him learn the playbook. Sundell stayed late in the building on Wednesday to answer questions about the system. Nelson also mentioned receiving help from fullbacks John Benton and Quinshon Odom, as Seattle uses a fullback more frequently than the offense Nelson previously played in.