Chuck Pagano shares candid thoughts on Colts trading Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner
Nov 01, 2026
Chuck Pagano analyzes Colts trades of Nelson, Buckner
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Colts traded two of their captains on Tuesday, dealing guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the 49ers.
Former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano shared his thoughts on the trad
es on Countdown To Kickoff.
“On the surprise meter, the scale 1 to 10, probably a 9,” Pagano said. “What are we doing? We’ve got 10 games to go. We just played the Vikings really good up there. Lost the game, but we got 10 games to go. Two of our leaders, two of our captains, two pillar guys, both of those guys’ pictures on Lucas Oil Stadium, right, so we’ve got to rip those things down. We’re second place in the AFC South. We know how bad the division is. We’re playing Jacksonville today. We get a win here, anything can happen. So very, very surprised by this transaction, letting these two guys go. And then from a timing standpoint, why don’t you wait and see if we can develop a better market for these guys? Tennessee got two ones and a fourth for Jeffery Simmons. Last time I looked, D-Buckner’s got just as good or better stats. He’s played three years longer than Simmons, i guarantee we could have got more than a fourth for D-Buck. So I was very surprised.”
The Colts received a 2027 third round pick and a 2028 fifth round pick for Nelson and a 2027 fourth round pick for Buckner.
The Colts (2-5) take on the Jaguars (4-2), who are in first place in the AFC South, on Sunday in Jacksonville. The Colts will look to get their first win in Jacksonville since 2014. Kickoff on Sunday is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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