Former Notre Dame alumnus Quenton Nelson is no stranger to facing the NFL's best defensive linemen. That doesn't mean he wasn't relieved to be traded to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this week. Part of the trade from the Indianapolis Colts meant he wouldn't have to face Jeffery Simmons twice a year anymore.
After Simmons was traded to the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Nelson learned he'll have to face one of the league's best defensive linemen at least one more time. The Seahawks and Bears will meet this Sunday. Nelson said he didn't see himself facing Simmons again in the cards.
"He's an amazing football player and competitor. I was like, Man, can't get away from this guy. It'll be another battle against him this week," Nelson said.
When Nelson was a guard for the Colts and Simmons was a defensive tackle for the Titans, the two played against each other 13 times. When Nelson got traded to the Seahawks on Tuesday, he thought he'd get a break from facing Simmons.
Former Notre Dame football legend Quenton Nelson jokes about facing Jeffery Simmons again after Bears trade
In 2025, Simmons had his best season by far as a pass rusher. He logged 67 tackles and 11 sacks.
Meanwhile, Nelson will continue his run as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. Nelson has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons since the Colts drafted him sixth overall out of Notre Dame in 2018, with three first-team All-Pro nods in that span (2018-20).
Quenton Nelson played guard at Notre Dame from 2014 to 2017. After sitting out his freshman year and practicing on the scout team, he played in 12 games and started 11 at left guard in his sophomore campaign. He missed the Navy game and most of the USC game with an ankle injury. Nelson’s unit allowed the Fighting Irish to average 5.63 yards per carry, a modern school record.
In 2016, Nelson started all 12 games at left guard. He was named AP second-team All-American and Notre Dame's Offensive Lineman of the Year. In his final year with the Irish, he was named a team captain and a unanimous first-team All-American.
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