Colts Rebuild: Josh Downs Requests Trade While Jonathan Taylor Stays
The 25-year-old receiver asked to be moved after the team traded two veteran linemen, but coach Shane Steichen says the star running back has not yet made a similar request.
By Zara Ahmed ·
Josh Downs, a 25-year-old receiver in the final year of his rookie contract with the Indianapolis Colts, has formally requested a trade, according to multiple sources. The move follows a week in which the team traded veteran offensive guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Sources indicate that several teams have expressed interest in Downs, but the lack of a deal despite the Colts' clear rebuilding trajectory led to the request.
Downs addressed the situation on Wednesday, stating, "I'm open to whatever. Whatever comes my way, come my way and we go from there." He acknowledged the difficulty of the current season, noting that he has frequently faced double coverage because the team lacks other potent receiving threats. Downs has recorded 26 catches for 307 yards and no touchdowns this year. His catch rate sits at a career-low 56.5 percent of his targets.
The status of star running back Jonathan Taylor remains a point of speculation. While several teams have shown interest in Taylor, Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Wednesday that Taylor has not asked to be traded. "No," Steichen answered when asked if Taylor had requested a move. He added, "Those are hypothetical things right now. I know there's stuff floating around out there, but JT's on our football team."
Steichen also addressed the trades of Nelson and Buckner. He said he would keep the details of whether those players requested trades private. "Anytime you lose guys like that, it hurts," Steichen said. "But that's the NFL and that's the hard part about it. That's what we signed up for."
The transactions sent Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick. Nelson went to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. These moves occurred one week after the Colts fired longtime general manager Chris Ballard.
The Colts, currently with a 2-5 record, face a Jacksonville Jaguars game this weekend. Downs said he is focused on the immediate future. "I'm here right now," he said. "I'm where my feet are. We got the Jags this weekend and so I'm in the game plan. So, I've got to be ready to go."
The team will likely operate under uncertainty until the NFL trade deadline on November 10. No further player movements have been confirmed as of Wednesday.
Source: ESPN
