What happened: Seattle landed eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson from Indianapolis on Tuesday in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Baltimore already sent a 2028 second-round selection to Philadelphia on Oct. 7 to acquire offensive lineman Cam Jurgens. With Nelson on an expiring contract and Baltimore holding $5.5 million in guaranteed 2027 money for left guard John Simpson, general manager Eric DeCosta bypassed a second major offensive line trade.

Why it matters: Absorbing Nelson's remaining salary without Indianapolis retaining money would have forced Baltimore to restructure existing contracts, worsening its 2027 cap commitments alongside big-money deals for Marlon Humphrey and Roquan Smith. Asking the Colts to At 4-3 and ninth in the conference under head coach Jesse Minter, the Ravens preserved draft capital rather than paying an additional premium to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson.

What to watch: Baltimore faces Buffalo on Sunday with Jackson listed as questionable with an ankle injury, though Minter said the quarterback is in a decent spot to play. Nelson joins Seattle ahead of Week 8 after the Seahawks absorbed the remainder of his 2026 salary.