Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has formally requested a trade, according to ESPN. Downs, 25, did not dispute the report when addressing reporters on Tuesday.
"I’m open to whatever. Whatever comes my way, comes my way and we go from there," Downs said, per ESPN. The trade deadline is Nov. 10, and the Colts have not yet indicated whether they will accommodate his request.
Downs’ move follows a series of roster changes by the Colts, including the trades of franchise cornerstones Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner earlier this week. Nelson was sent to the Seattle Seahawks for third- and fifth-round draft picks, while Buckner was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round selection. The Colts also traded their 2025 first-round draft pick to the New York Jets last year to acquire cornerback Sauce Gardner.
The team fired general manager Chris Ballard last week after a 3-4 start to the season, including a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The Colts are widely viewed as entering a rebuilding phase.
Downs’ Career with the Colts
Downs, selected by Indianapolis in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, has played his entire four-year career with the Colts. In seven games this season, he has recorded 26 receptions for 307 yards. Across 54 career games, Downs has 224 catches for 2,447 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also averaging 9.4 yards per punt return.
Potential Trade Interest
Multiple reports have linked the Kansas City Chiefs to Downs as a potential trade target. ESPN’s Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler identified Kansas City as a "top trade fit" for the Colts receiver, citing the Chiefs’ need for additional wide receiver depth. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes would be a potential target for Downs if a deal materializes.
The Chiefs, currently 5-1 and leading the AFC West, have struggled in recent games, including a 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week. Downs’ production—including 566 receiving yards and four touchdowns last season—has been cited as a reason for his potential fit in Kansas City’s offense.
The Colts have not commented on Downs’ trade request or any ongoing negotiations.