Jalen Sundell, Seahawks' Offensive Line Adjusting Smoothly to Quenton Nelson's Arrival
Adding a Hall of Fame-caliber talent to the mix, not everything has been easy for the Seahawks switching things up on the offensive line this week. But everyone in the building sees a restructured group centered around Quenton Nelson hitting the ground running.
RENTON, Wash. - Becoming teammates with a perennial All-Pro on the offensive line comes with plenty of perks, but Quenton Nelson's addition as the newest member of the Seattle Seahawks hasn't come without bittersweet emotions.
For center Jalen Sundell and the rest of Seattle's offensive line, Nelson obviously has been welcomed with open arms this week given his pedigree as one of the best guards in the NFL. Acquiring him from Indianapolis for a 2027 third round pick and 2028 fifth round pick moves the needle significantly as the defending champions seek another Super Bowl title.
But the unfortunate reality that Nelson's arrival will shift Grey Zabel to the right guard spot and push Anthony Bradford out of the starting lineup hasn't been lost by those who battle together in the trenches either. That's one of the real consequences that comes with pro football being a business first and foremost.
"There's mixed feelings," Sundell told Emerald City Spectrum prior to Friday's practice. "You know what that kind of does to our room, AB [Bradford] specifically. But also it's great having a future Hall of Famer on our team, so I'm excited to play next to him and be out out on the field together. It will be really fun."
Quite the changeup from prior years, few teams enjoyed better continuity along the offensive line than the Seahawks did entering the 2026 season. After hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February, all five starters returned for the title defense, including Sundell, Zabel, and Bradford, who opened the season as the undisputed starter at right guard for the first time in his four-year career.
