Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547434
60 NOV. 7, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY TODD D. BURLAGE W ith the NFL trade deadline loom- ing Nov. 10, the annual midseason player carousel recently hit high gear with franchises deciding whether to buy, sell or stand pat as the second half of the regular season begins. In the biggest blockbuster trade of this year's NFL swapping season so far, news broke Oct. 27 that former Irish All-American and six-time NFL All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson was traded by the Indianapolis Colts to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth- round selection. The trade was surprising to many Colts faithful who considered Nelson — a six-time team captain and the No. 6 overall selection by Indianapolis in the 2018 draft — the cornerstone of its of- fensive line and the strongest leader on the team. But with Nelson's contract set to ex- pire after this season, and the Colts sit- ting at 2-5 and on a three-game losing streak following a 16-10 loss to the Min- nesota Vikings Oct. 25, Indianapolis de- cided that turning the page on its future Hall of Famer mapped the best course for its future aspirations. The move, expectedly, was celebrated as an important one for the reigning Su- per Bowl champs. Former NFL quarterback, Seattle na- tive and longtime FOX analyst Brock Huard explained the trade this way on his "Brock and Salk Live" podcast. "You want to get back to a Super Bowl? How did you do it a year ago?" Huard said. "You did it at the line of scrimmage over the second half of the season and into that playoff run." Nelson, 30, joins three other former Irish on the Seahawks ros- ter: safety Julian Love, defensive lineman Rylie Mills and rookie tailback Jadarian Price, whom the Seahawks selected No. 32 overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in the spring. Price has been sidelined much of this season with a chest injury but has returned to practice and is expected back in November. With Nelson and Price working as an Irish tandem, expect some added excitement and improvement to follow for a Seattle running game that was averaging only 113.7 yards per game (No. 17 in the league) and 3.9 yards per carry (No. 23 in the league) through Oct. 25. LONGEVITY REWARDED "Modern Family" was the most-pop- ular TV sitcom, "Avatar" was the top- grossing movie and Jimmy Clausen was an Irish team captain when former Irish long snapper JJ Jansen joined the Caro- lina Panthers in a trade with the Green Bay Packers in 2009. Seventeen years and 282 games later, Jansen recently became the all-time longevity leader for games played at his position, setting the mark Oct. 18 in a 25-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jansen, 40, hasn't missed a game for the Panthers since signing with the franchise and has made more appear- ances for Carolina than any player in its history. As a fourth-year team captain, Jansen is also a mentor — one who's willing to embrace the old-man jokes — and an on-field coach for his team, even at a unique position. "The guy is a legend," said Panthers punter Sam Martin, who obviously works with Jansen very closely. "What he's done, it's incredible." With 283 career games, Jansen — who played for Notre Dame from 2004-07 — currently ranked 23rd all time in NFL appearances. ✦ FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Malachi Fields (Played at Notre Dame in 2025), WR, New York Giants, NFL The rookie recorded career highs with 4 receptions for 83 yards with a long re- ception of 47 yards in a 27-21 overtime upset win on the road over the Houston Texans Oct. 25. The 2026 third-round draft pick recorded multiple receptions in each of the Gi- ants' first seven games this season, with 1 touchdown and 2 receptions of at least 40 yards. Eli Raridon (2022-25), TE, New England Patriots, NFL The rookie recorded 3 catches for 56 yards with a 30-yard touchdown grab in a 30-24 loss to the Chicago Bears Oct. 22. The 2026 third-round draft pick is still best remembered this season for his NFL debut Sept. 9 when he caught the first touchdown pass of the entire NFL season in a 13-10 loss to the Seahawks on a 2-yard score. Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings, NFL The 15-year veteran recorded a season-high 4 tackles and intercepted a pass with 1:15 remaining in the game to secure a 16-10 victory over the Colts Oct. 25 and keep the Vikings undefeated. Playing fewer snaps this season after a distinguished career, the 37-year-old and six-time Pro Bowler also recorded a half sack in the victory. All-Pro Quenton Nelson Surprisingly Traded To Reigning Champs I R I S H I N T H E P R O S Nelson, a former Irish All-American and six-time NFL All- Pro offensive guard, was traded by the Indianapolis Colts to the Seattle Seahawks. PHOTO COURTESY INDIANAPOLIS COLTS