The Indianapolis Colts have initiated a significant roster overhaul following the dismissal of general manager Chris Ballard, trading key veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner in separate deals on Tuesday.

Nelson, a three-time All-Pro guard and one of the highest-paid players at his position, was sent to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Nelson, drafted by the Colts with the sixth overall pick in 2018, had been a cornerstone of Indianapolis' offensive line, but his contract is set to expire after the current season. Reports indicate Nelson has been hesitant to engage in contract discussions since Ballard’s departure. The Seahawks, aiming to bolster their struggling run game, view Nelson as a key acquisition to revive their ground attack.

Later the same day, the Colts traded Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round selection. Buckner, in his seventh NFL season and third with Indianapolis, has recorded 31 tackles and four sacks this year. He initially began his career with San Francisco before the Colts acquired him in a 2020 trade. Like Nelson, Buckner’s contract expires at the season’s end, and he had expressed growing frustration with the team’s recent performance following consecutive losses.

These moves come shortly after team co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon removed Ballard from his general manager role, signaling an urgent push to reset the franchise. In a statement last week, Irsay-Gordon emphasized a heightened sense of urgency to return to championship contention and framed the leadership change as a necessary first step. “Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision,” she said, emphasizing the need to begin rebuilding immediately.

The Colts currently sit amid a challenging stretch, having dropped three straight games, including a recent 16-10 loss at Minnesota. Offensive star Jonathan Taylor, who signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August and leads the league in touchdown runs, remains a potential trade candidate amid the team’s restructuring efforts.

With these trades, Indianapolis begins what appears to be a broader effort to reshape its roster as the organization seeks to reposition itself for future success after missing playoff contention. Meanwhile, both Seattle and San Francisco hope the incoming veterans can provide an immediate impact as they pursue their respective seasons.