Colts left guard Quenton Nelson is the kind of player who will praise his teammates until he loses his voice before accepting a compliment. His teammates describe him as the "gold standard" and the "ultimate team guy," and for the last seven years, Nelson has been the definition of consistency – all the way down to his Pro Bowl appearances.
Nelson is now the only player in Colts history to earn Pro Bowl honors in his first seven seasons, and the first Colts player since quarterback Peyton Manning to make seven straight Pro Bowls. Nelson is also one of three offensive linemen (Richmond Webb, Joe Thomas) in NFL history to be selected for the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons.
"It's definitely one of my goals each year," Nelson said. "It's definitely a byproduct of who I get to play next to. With Ryan (Kelly) and Bernhard (Raimann) and getting to play next to Gonz (Matt Goncalves) and Bort (Tanor Bortolini) and Danny (Pinter) too. Really thankful for those guys, and to Coach (Tony) Sparano Jr. and Coach (Chris) Watt for their coaching, because I feel like they've helped me a ton, and can't do it without them."
In 2024, Nelson ranked among Pro Football Focus' top five starting guards in pass block grade (79.7) and run block grade (81.7), starting all 17 games and playing 100 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps in 15 of those 17 starts.
"That's the key word, consistency," defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said. "I know the type of player and person Q is. He comes, he puts in his work each and every offseason, throughout the season, putting in (overtime) and extra work, and it comes to fruition each and every year. It's been fun to see his career grow the way it is. Even through the ups and downs of whether the team is doing well, I know Q is going to show up each and every day and he's going to do his job at a high level."
"The guy is always in the building, grinding away," head coach Shane Steichen said. "He puts in the effort, he puts in the time – ultimate teammate, ultimate pro and it shows every Sunday he steps out there.
"Obviously, he has the physical traits that you want at that position. But again, it's the physical traits, but it's also his mind too – the way he sees the game. The ultimate student of the game."
View some of the best photos of Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson from the 2024 season.
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View highlights from Thursday night's Skills Showdown featuring guard Quenton Nelson, running back Jonathan Taylor and AFC coach Peyton Manning, to kick off the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Florida.
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) participates in the Dodgeball game during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Former quarterbacks Eli Manning and Peyton Manning pose with Pro Bowl quarterbacks before the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) looks on during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts mascot Blue and Denver Broncos mascot Miles look on before the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) participates in the Relay Race competition during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Terry Crews looks on during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) participates in the Relay Race competition during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) participates in the Relay Race competition during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Special guest and host Terry Crews reacts during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Cheerleaders perform before the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Special guest and host Terry Crews reacts during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
AFC head coach Peyton Manning, Terry Crews, and NFC head coach Eli Manning interact during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) celebrates with AFC coach Peyton Manning after he participates in "The Big Spike" challenge during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
A detail view of a hat with the NFL Pro Bowl Games logo during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Terry Crews looks on during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
A general view during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
A general view of Pro Bowl Games signage is seen before the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Terry Crews reacts during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) participates in the Relay Race competition during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) watches the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
From left to right: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6), Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), former quarterback Eli Manning, former quarterback Peyton Manning, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3), Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9), and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) pose for a photo before the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) participates in the Dodgeball game during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Megan performs during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
NFL cheerleaders pose for a group photo after the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
A general view of the Pro Bowl Games field is seen before the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cheerleader Jada of the Indianapolis Colts reacts before the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts mascot Blue looks on during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
NFL cheerleaders pose for a group photo after the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
A general view prior to the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Melina Pizano/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) participates in the Relay Race competition during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) participates in the Dodgeball game during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
AFC head coach Peyton Manning looks on during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
AFC head coach Peyton Manning looks on as New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) participates in the "Passing the Test" challenge during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) participates in the Dodgeball game during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Special guest Terry Crews interviews AFC head coach Peyton Manning and NFC head coach Eli Manning before the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
AFC head coach Peyton Manning cheers for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) as he participates in the "Passing the Test" challenge during the 2025 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
