Quenton Nelson Expresses Optimism Toward New Colts Coaches

The Colts needed something different around the building. After a 4-12-1 season that saw the Colts embarrassed on multiple occasions, the life had been sucked out of this team. Indy had lost its edge and passion, culminating with an embarrassing moment on the field when New York Giants defender Kayvon Thibodeaux did snow angels while Nick Foles writhed in pain after a sack. None of the offensive linemen, including Nelson, rushed to the defense of Foles.

That will not be tolerated under Steichen, and he has made it clear that players and coaches alike will be held accountable and to a high standard. 

"Just the way that he comes into the building every day and when he talks in the team meeting room and in the offensive meeting room it just gets you excited hearing the confidence in his voice and him saying 'This is what we're gonna do. This is how we're gonna do it,'" Nelson described. "It's like okay, yeah, I can see that with our roster and everything.

"(He's) very direct and also just holding guys accountable. Which has been great just in the team meeting, calling out mistakes, not letting anything slide, and then also praising you when you do well. So just being real and that's really appreciated by the players and it's awesome."

While Steichen and Nelson have clicked from the beginning, the All-Pro guard has also formed a great relationship with new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. Sparano joined the Colts this offseason after spending the 2022 season as the assistant offensive line coach for the Giants. Sparano replaces Chris Strausser, who served as the offensive line coach for the Colts since 2019.

“He’s great," Nelson admitted when asked about Sparano. "You can tell he cares about all the guys in the room. He’s a funny guy too, which is awesome to have in the o-line room – build some camaraderie there. Just the way he’s been coaching has been really good and really good for me. I feel like I’m getting better in phase one, voluntary mini-camp and now phase two. It’s been really good.”

Nelson is obsessed with his technique and fundamentals. He always starts with his technique when asked what he will look to improve on each offseason. Having the correct technique as an offensive lineman can be the difference between holding onto your block for a second longer or giving up a sack for a big play.

On more than one occasion under Strausser, Nelson mentioned how he felt his technique begin to slip at times. Sparano has had the opposite effect, and Nelson has quickly noticed improvements in his game.

“Just the technique that he’s teaching, the detail that he has in teaching it," Nelson said. "Then when going over specific coaching points, nothing is like passed over, glossed over. Everything is very detail-oriented and explained really well to where you know exactly what he wants and exactly how to do it.”

The offensive line coach was always going to be one of the most crucial hires for Steichen's staff. The Colts have seen a drastic regression from a unit once heralded as one of the best in the NFL. Indy gave up 60 sacks a year ago, the second most in the league.

But it will not be solely up to the coaches to turn around the Colts' offensive line. The responsibility falls on the players as well. Some players must play up to their potential, while others need to take the next step in their development.

The Colts are currently expected to pay out $50.2 million to their offensive line in 2023, according to Spotrac. That figure is the seventh-highest in the NFL, and accounts for 21.65% of the Colts' 2023 salary cap. Having a repeat performance of 2022, or even playing at a mediocre level, is unacceptable.

Nelson knows the Colts need to focus on their technique and fundamentals on the field and during practice. However, there is another element Nelson feels can help the unit play as one.

"I would just say working every day and hanging out with each other outside of the building, building that chemistry and getting to know each other really well and just being close off the field," he explained. "I think (building chemistry off the field) brings a whole closeness on the field and we've been working on that this offseason so far and then we've been getting really good work in in the weight room. Lifts together, treatment together, and then of course practicing together."

The offensive line relies on the execution of all of its pieces more than any other group in football. If one player makes a mistake, the whole play can be blown up. Nelson hopes that creating a bond both on and off the field will help the Colts' offensive line play as a cohesive bunch.

The Colts have a ways to go before they are considered one of the best offensive lines in the NFL again. But Nelson feels like they have the right coaches in place and are on the right track for the group becoming a strength of the team, once again.

Rest assured, Nelson will not stop his pursuit of perfection regardless of if the Colts' offensive line returns to prominence. He will surely use it as a challenge to become even more dominant.

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