When Quenton Nelson first arrived in Indianapolis as a rookie in 2018, he had veteran left tackle Anthony Castonzo to help him navigate his first year.
"I remember looking towards the older guys, seeing the beard and grey hairs, and just being like, 'Dang, this guy's a grown ass man,'" Nelson said Wednesday.
Now, after eight fast-moving seasons in the NFL, Nelson is the one young players look to for guidance and advice as they make the same transition. Rookie guard Jalen Farmer has already made an impression on Nelson, and he noticed it right out of the gates.
"(He's) talented, wants to get better and is asking a lot of questions," Nelson said of the Florida alum. "And listening to the answers and trying to apply it."
Second-year tackle Jalen Travis started the last four games of the 2025 season on the same offensive line as Nelson. Travis, Nelson explained, has intangible skills that cannot be coached, which has made him stand out on the line.
"I'm really impressed with him, and I thought he stepped up big for us last year," Nelson said. "He's going to stay on track and be even better this year."
The Colts return to the practice field for Day 2 of minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
TE Tyler Warren #84
QB Anthony Richardson Sr. #5
TE Mo Alie-Cox #81
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
QB Daniel Jones #17
C Geno VanDeMark #63, OL Josh Sills #66, T Bernhard Raimann #79 and T Nolan Rucci #76
CB Sauce Gardner #1
TE Mo Alie-Cox #81
G Jalen Farmer #62
WR Deion Burks #80
WR Deion Burks #80
T Jalen Travis #75
LB Jaylon Carlies #57
CB Sauce Gardner #1
S Hunter Wohler #30
S Daniel Scott #36
CB Sauce Gardner #1
CB Sauce Gardner #1
T Blake Freeland #73
CB Sauce Gardner #1
RB DJ Giddens #21
RB Lincoln Pare #36
QB Daniel Jones #17
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine # 12
TE Tyler Warren #84
TE Drew Ogletree #85
QB Easton Stick #4
QB Daniel Jones #17
TE Tyler Warren #84
RB DJ Giddens #21
RB Seth McGowan #20
DE Arden Key #98
DT Cam Ball #64
DT Grover Stewart #90
DT Cam Ball #64
S Camryn Bynum #0, CB Sauce Gardner #1 and Chris Hewitt - Pass Game Coordinator / Secondary Coach
S Camryn Bynum #0, CB Sauce Gardner #1 and Chris Hewitt Defensive Backs & Passing Game Coordinator
S Camryn Bynum #0 and CB Sauce Gardner #1
CB Charvarius Ward Sr. #7
DT Colby Wooden #96
CB Charvarius Ward Sr. #7
DT Grover Stewart #90
DT Jerry Tillery #94
DE Laiatu Latu #97
DE Caden Curry #55
TE Carson Towt #45 and TE Will Mallory #86
TE Carson Towt #45 and WR Sahmir Hagans #11
LB Austin Ajiake #58
LB Jaylon Carlies #57
LB CJ Allen #53
LB West Weeks #47 and LB Devin Veresuk #48
S Jonathan Owens #38 and Shane Steichen Head Coach
DT Grover Stewart #90
DE Jaylahn Tuimoloau #91
LB Bryce Boettcher #50 and LB West Weeks #47
LB CJ Allen #53
LB Bryce Boettcher #50
S Juanyeh Thomas #33 and CB Cameron Mitchell #43
WR Deion Burks #80, WR Raylen Sharpe #8, WR Eli Pancol #83 and WR Sahmir Hagans #11
LB CJ Allen #53 and Cato June - Assistant Linebackers
LB CJ Allen #53
WR E.J Horton Jr. #10 and Reggie Wayne Wide Receivers
WR Laquon Treadwell #13 and Reggie Wayne Wide Receivers
LB Bryce Boettcher #50
LB Devin Veresuk #48 and LB West Weeks #47
LB West Weeks #47, LB Bryce Boettcher #50, LB Devin Veresuk #48, LB CJ Allen #53 and LB Austin Ajiake #58
LB CJ Allen #53
LB CJ Allen #53
The offensive line consistently stays after practice to get extra work in, despite this time of year being considered more of a lull. No matter what point of the offseason it is, Nelson treats it all the same.
"I'm extremely blessed to be in the NFL and be playing for the Colts," he said. "I don't take it for granted, and I just want to win."
Part of what keeps Nelson motivated is every NFL player's dream: to win the Super Bowl. For the Colts, that journey starts with winning the AFC South, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 2014.
"The goal hasn't changed, but the approach over the years has changed as you grow up and learn things," Nelson said. "That's what motivates me: winning and doing the best for my teammates and for all the people in the building who believe in me."
