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Colts WR Josh Downs Requests Trade Amid Interest from Steelers
Confirmed
In Short: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, with the Pittsburgh Steelers expressing interest.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The Steelers have shown interest in acquiring Downs, with Jordan Schultz reporting that the team has expressed a desire to trade for the Colts' wideout.
Downs, selected by the Colts in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has 26 receptions for 307 yards this season.
When asked about the trade request, Downs told reporters, 'I’m open to whatever,' effectively indicating his willingness to move to another team.
The Colts have two weeks until the NFL trade deadline on November 10 to decide on Downs' future.
Other teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, have also shown interest in adding to their receiving corps.
Downs' sudden footwork and coverage recognition make him a high-percentage target for teams looking to improve their passing game.
The Colts have been active in trade discussions, having already traded away guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
The team's recent moves suggest a potential rebuild, with general manager Chris Ballard fired following the Colts' 2-4 start to the season.
Former quarterback Peyton Manning is reportedly being considered for the general manager position, with Dan Patrick suggesting Manning could be interested in the role and an ownership stake.
The Colts' decision on Downs could impact their roster significantly, as they continue to navigate the trade deadline and potential rebuild.
What this adds
The Colts may be willing to trade Downs, as indicated by Adam Schefter, Jordan Schultz, and Ian Rapoport.
The Steelers' interest in Downs is part of a broader strategy to bolster their receiving corps.
Downs' trade request and the Colts' active trade discussions highlight the team's current challenges and potential restructuring.
What's confirmed
- Downs has 26 receptions for 307 yards this season.
- 27, 2026: Traded away guard Quenton Nelson and DT DeForest Buckner "Those are hypothetical things right now," Steichen said.
- On Tuesday the fire sale began in Indianapolis, with the Colts trading away both Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline.
What's still developing
- You may also like: 2027 free agent check-in: Parker Washington and Ventrell Miller lead the way You may also like: 2027 free agent check-in: Parker Washington and Ventrell Miller lead the way You could make the case that just because no credible source has reported that the Jaguars are indeed interested in Josh Downs doesn't mean that they wouldn't make a push for him.
- And that's the thing, the Colts may in fact be willing to trade the fifth-year receiver.
- ESPN's Dan Graziano noted that Taylor's contract is "tradeable" since the acquiring team would only have to take on $8 million in prorated salary plus bonus money for this season, and could technically move on from Taylor within five days after the Super Bowl without having to make any financial commitment for next season.
- "It is what it is," Downs told reporters in the Colts locker room on Wednesday, per The Athletic.
- The Colts were likely going to trade him anyway, according to Adam Schefter, Jordan Schultz, and Ian Rapoport.
- But none of them are Jonathan Taylor, and more than anything, it’s Taylor who the Colts’ fanbase is watching closely as the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline approaches.
- Taylor is the superstar running back who was just extended in the offseason through the 2028 season but still finds himself in trade rumors anyway.
- “ I’m open to whatever,” Downs said, via James Boyd of TheAthletic.com.
- Home Colts AFC Trade Rumors: Josh Downs, Brian Thomas Jr, Colts, Jaguars, Titans Colts Jaguars Titans AFC Trade Rumors: Josh Downs, Brian Thomas Jr, Colts, Jaguars, Titans By Logan Ulrich - October 28, 2026 Colts According to Jordan Schultz, the Colts are getting trade calls from receiver-needy teams regarding WR Josh Downs.
- Titans RB Tony Pollard has come up as a potential trade candidate but one AFC exec pointed out to Fowler: “I don’t think [the Titans] want to take weapons away from the quarterback right now.” Another trade candidate for the Titans to watch is CB Alontae Taylor who has been benched the past two games despite being one of the team’s prized free agent signings just this March.
- He tallied a career-high five scores in 2024 and four touchdowns in ’25.
- “[The Chiefs] are calling around, at least, to see what they could potentially add,” Fowler said on NFL Network’s The Aftermath on Monday night.