Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, turning the NFL world’s attention away from Jonathan Taylor for a minute as Indy’s fire sale keeps blazing. This move follows an already busy week for the Colts, who have been shedding notable pieces ahead of the trade deadline.
Downs Is Outta There, and Indy Is Imploding
The Colts are making moves, alright, but not the kind anyone wants to see in the middle of the season. After already shipping off offensive guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and then firing general manager Chris Ballard, everyone was wondering if running back Jonathan Taylor was next. Well, now we have another name to add to the departure list: wide receiver Josh Downs.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Downs asked for a trade. Downs himself confirmed the vibe, telling reporters, “It is what it is. I’m here today, but whatever comes my way comes my way.” When pressed on if he requested a trade, he doubled down: “Like I said, I’m open to whatever. Whatever comes my way comes my way.” He added, “I’m here right now. I’m where my feet are.” Downs is on the last year of his rookie deal, and with the Colts clearly rebuilding, you can’t blame the guy for wanting a change of scenery. He’s reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams.
What Downs Brings To The Table
So, what kind of weapon are teams looking at? Downs is a North Carolina product, drafted by the Colts in the third round back in 2023. This season, he’s caught 26 passes for a team-high 307 yards in seven games, though he hasn’t found the end zone yet. He, Keenan Allen, and tight end Tyler Warren have been holding down the fort in the passing game with Alec Pierce sidelined by an ankle injury.
But look at his career numbers: Since he was drafted, Downs has 1,964 receiving yards from the slot, which is second in the entire NFL, only behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. His best year was 2024, snagging 72 passes for 803 yards and five touchdowns. In 54 career games, he’s hauled in 224 passes for 2,447 yards and 11 scores. The guy can play, especially out of the slot, and he’s going to be a huge addition for whoever lands him.
Where Could Downs Land?
With Downs wanting a fresh start, a few teams immediately jump out as potential landing spots.
First up, the Los Angeles Rams. Talk about a roller coaster season! They’re a surprising 3-4, which makes them only the fifth outright preseason Super Bowl favorite in the last 50 seasons to have a losing record after seven games. None of the previous four made it to the Super Bowl, so that’s a rough stat. Injuries are piling up for them, too, with Davante Adams on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. In their Week 7 win against the Raiders, only Puka Nacua and Konata Mumpfield caught passes at wide receiver. Sean McVay loves his tight ends, but adding Downs would be a massive boost for Matthew Stafford and that passing attack.
Then there’s the New England Patriots. This one makes too much sense: a reunion between Drake Maye and his college top target. Back in 2022 at North Carolina, Downs led the Tar Heels with 94 catches for 1,029 yards and 11 of Maye’s 38 passing touchdowns. The Patriots’ passing game is already top-10, averaging 253.0 yards per game, but with Romeo Doubs on the injured list, Maye could definitely use a familiar, reliable face.
This trade deadline is shaping up to be wild, and Downs is one of the biggest names on the market. His next team is getting a proven slot receiver with a knack for racking up yards. For the Colts, it’s another sign that the rebuild is in full swing, and they are not holding anything back.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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