Colts’ Quenton Nelson on Quarterback Changes

Quenton Nelson, an All-Pro guard for the Indianapolis Colts, was chosen sixth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he’s experienced quite a lot of fluctuation regarding the team’s quarterback situation.

Since Nelson joined the league, the Colts have cycled through numerous quarterbacks — names like Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and now Daniel Jones, to name a few. It’s been a mix, to say the least.

Recently, the Colts announced that Jones would start in week one, which, well, didn’t exactly thrill Nelson, considering that Anthony Richardson was viewed as the franchise’s future. This decision certainly left room for frustration.

“I mean, I wouldn’t say it doesn’t get under my skin,” Nelson remarked when asked about the lack of consistency at quarterback. It’s understandable. “Look at teams with a stable franchise player, like Patrick Mahomes. You build chemistry over the years, and that definitely helps with the offensive line,” he continued, expressing frustration over the instability.

The retirement of Luck before the 2019 season threw the Colts into uncertainty. They’ve relied on various veteran players, but it seems nothing has truly clicked. Since 2018, the team has only made the playoffs twice. They’ve drafted quarterbacks like Richardson and Jacob Eason, but even some earlier picks haven’t lived up to the expectations, such as this year’s sixth-round choice, Riley Leonard, who isn’t slated to start right away.

Looking ahead, Nelson acknowledged the weight of having Jones in the starting role. “It was a big decision for Coach Shane Steichen and the front office. But, at the end of the day, we have to do our jobs and support the team,” he said, hinting at the ongoing adjustment the team will continue to face.