Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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50 SEPT. 24, 2022 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE E ven when he was an All-American at Notre Dame in 2017, Irish offensive guard Quenton Nelson was never inter- ested much in talking about himself, or talking period, for that matter. A man of few words and the definition of "Jersey Tough," the Holmdel, N.J., na- tive preferred to leave his message with pancake blocks and gaping rushing seems. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and a Day 1 starter with the Colts that year, Nelson was richly rewarded on Sept. 10, with a four-year contract extension worth $80 million, including $60 million in guarantees, per NFL.com. "It means a ton," Nelson succinctly said about his new deal, passing praise to his teammates, coaches and franchise owners. Scheduled to earn $13.75 million on his fifth-year option this season, Nelson is now under contract through 2026. Colts head coach Frank Reich went more to the point when asked about his perennial All-Pro becoming the high- est-paid offense guard in NFL history. "It's a big deal," Reich said. "He's a unique player, a unique leader, in every way. "I'm really happy for Quenton. He deserves it. This guy is a special player, and a special leader." Staying on script, Nelson celebrated his new contract the next day in the only way he knows how, by dominating at his posi- tion in a 20-20 tie at the Houston Texans. He played all 92 snaps at left guard for the Colts and helped them rack up 517 total yards, including 177 on the ground. An East Coast native, Nelson has now called Indiana his home since moving to South Bend in 2014, before relocating 150 miles south to Indianapolis in 2018. "It's great to be staying in India- napolis," said Nelson, finally letting his guard down. "I've really come to find this place to be home. Being from New Jersey, I do really love Indiana. I love the people in the Midwest, so it means a lot. I'm really thankful." By earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2018, 2019 and 2020, Nelson became only the fifth NFL player in the last 50 years to achieve that in each of their first three seasons. Injuries didn't keep Nelson off the field in 2021, but they did drop him to a second-team All-Pro selection. Even so, Nelson was still voted by his peers this preseason as the 28th-best player in the NFL. "Everyone knows what great ability he has," Reich added. "But I think what makes Quenton so special is how smart he plays and how instinctive he is. I think that's what takes his game over the top. "He's a physically dominant player, but it's his instincts and his intelligence that take him to another level." EQ STARTING ANEW After four nondescript years playing for the Green Bay Packers, former Irish wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown made good on his fresh start with the Chicago Bears in their season opener Sept. 11. In what turned out to be the biggest play in a 19-10 upset of the San Fran- cisco 49ers at rain-soaked Soldier Field, St. Brown scored on an 18-yard touch- down grab with 12:45 left the fourth quarter that gave his new team a 13-7 lead it never relinquished. A play that wasn't originally designed for St. Brown turned into his first-ever tar- get from Bears quarterback Justin Fields, and a game-winning touchdown when he was left uncovered on a post route. "I was probably the second or third option," St. Brown said of his first-ever reception with his new team. "I was supposed to pick for the fullback. But, I came open, wide open." Nelson's four-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts is worth $80 million and will make him the high- est paid guard in the NFL. PHOTO COURTESY INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Colts Guard Quenton Nelson Cashes In With Record Contact