Some Washington Commanders fans on social media thought general manager Adam Peters should have traded for perennial Pro Bowl offensive lineman Quenton Nelson, especially for the price he was eventually shipped to the Seattle Seahawks for.
But they clearly missed a reality.
The Commanders are in no position to be trading for veteran players.
Commanders aren't in a position to trade for Quenton Nelson or anyone else
This is not the 2024 season, when the Commanders were overachieving and felt bold enough to strike a trade deal for cornerback Marshon Lattimore. They are 1-4-1 and haven't won much since their conference championship game appearance. Head coach Dan Quinn is still confident of a turnaround, but it's far from guaranteed.
Throwing draft picks at the problem just isn't smart. That could change if the Commanders win their two post-bye games before the trade deadline, but it still seems unlikely.
The Indianapolis Colts are open for business, trading Nelson to the Seahawks for a third-round pick next spring and a 2028 fifth-rounder. He's out of contract, but he is also one of the top-performing guards anywhere in the league.
After that, the Colts sent defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. They gave up a first-rounder to get him from the Niners six years ago, and accepted a 2027 fourth-rounder to remove him from the equation.
Nelson's move was particularly frustrating for some Commanders fans. The offensive line is going through real complications on the left-hand side after Laremy Tunsil's injury. Brandon Coleman is struggling on the edge, and Chris Paul is faring even worse on the interior.
Quenton Nelson got traded for a 3rd and a 5th. Wow.
— SleeperCommanders (@SleeperWSH) October 27, 2026
I know we're 1-4-1. I know he's on an expiring deal.
A 3rd and a 5th still buys you a head start on extending an 8x time Pro Bowl guard at a spot we've been patching for years. Assuming he'd be open to resigning in Washington,…
That could have prompted action, but Peters chose restraint instead.
And he is right to do so.
Commanders would have dented their salary-cap with any Quenton Nelson trade as extensions loom
Nelson is an exceptional performer and has been since he got into the league. However, he's out of contract in 2027.
Spotrac projects the 2018 first-round pick out of Notre Dame to get a four-year, $96.36 million deal, averaging $24.09 million per year. Washington is already paying Tunsil and right guard Sam Cosmi top-tier money, so another expensive lineman would impact their ability to build a quality roster.
Peters has saved his money this season, knowing some big extensions are on the horizon. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is among them, which could be in the $60 million per year range. Nelson would have been nice, but it's just not feasible.
If the Commanders were 4-1-1 or even 5-1, it's a different story. That would give Peters the freedom to be aggressive, knowing there is another real opportunity to contend over the second half of 2026.
Unfortunately, that isn't the case.
And this is the mess they're currently in.
If the Commanders cannot win both of their upcoming games before the November 10 cut-off point, Peters is much more likely to sell. Whether anyone would be interested in disposable assets is debatable, but giving up picks when there is almost no chance of winning now is a recipe for disaster.
The Seahawks are in a completely different situation.
They are the defending champions, and though consistency has been lacking, their dominant showing over the Kansas City Chiefs proved this team can challenge again with a little extra help.
Acquiring Nelson represents a major statement of intent, of their ambitions to go back-to-back and become a legitimate powerhouse for years to come.
As for the Commanders? They are barely treading water.
And their trade deadline stance will probably reflect that.
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