Who Are the Top Five Highest Paid Guards After Quenton Nelson’s Record Breaking $80 Million Contract Extension?
The NFL season is upon us, which means that teams are scrambling to get their transfers and extensions done before the deadline. In one of the latest big-money moves, the Indianapolis Colts secured the services of their offensive lineman Quenton Nelson for the next four years.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported, “Colts’ Pro-Bowl OL Quenton Nelson reached agreement on a precedent-setting, four-year extension averaging $20 million per year, including $60 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history, per source. Colts finished the deal tonight with RJ Gonser of CAA.”
Colts’ Pro-Bowl OL Quenton Nelson reached agreement on a precedent-setting, four-year extension averaging $20 million per year, including $60 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history, per source. Colts finished the deal tonight with RJ Gonser of CAA. pic.twitter.com/uiqjnM3sSo
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2022
Schefter also pointed out, “Quenton Nelson’s new $80 million extension comes almost one year to the date that Steelers’ edge rusher TJ Watt – another RJ Gonser client – finalized a four-year, $112 million extension on Sept. 9, 2021.”
Quenton Nelson and his journey to a bumper $80 million contract
Nelson did not always have the NFL on his mind. The New Jersey native initially played basketball for his school team as a power forward/center. It was only during the later years of his school life that he tried out football and fell in love with it. Nelson was a naturally bigger kid compared to the rest of his classmates and, therefore, was slotted into the lineman role.
https://twitter.com/SourceIndiana/status/1568788304429989888
Quenton had the pick of the crop when it was time to commit to a college and picked Notre Dame as his University of choice. Nelson entered the 2018 draft and most pundits as well as fans had him pegged as a top 10 pick. Eventually, the Indianapolis Colts picked chose him as the 6th overall pick in the 2018 draft, and ever since then he has been a mainstay in the team.
Unreal block & mental processing from Quenton Nelson to read this LB blitz and work back across the formation to pick it up. pic.twitter.com/3PeQIZV1jh
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 19, 2019
He is without a doubt one of the best linemen in the league and received Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections in his first four seasons, including first-team All-Pros in his first three.
Quenton Nelson blocking Melvin Ingram 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fLtsiqbDFU
— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) July 6, 2020
Colts owner Jim Irsay shared his thoughts on Quenton Nelson and his extension. He said, “As far as leadership and the type of team guy he is, it’s off the charts. He is why the Colts are a physical team. When you’re coming to play us, you are coming to play the Big Q and he is the guy that represents us out there and everyone on this roster knows.”
