nbcsports
The Indianapolis Colts' roster may be on the verge of a significant shake-up, as wide receiver Josh Downs has reportedly asked to be traded, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. This development comes on the heels of Tuesday's trades that sent guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner elsewhere, signaling a possible broader restructuring in Indianapolis.
Downs, like Nelson and Buckner before their departures, is playing in the final year of his rookie contract. That expiring deal had already placed him on many speculative lists of players the Colts might consider moving ahead of the November 10 trade deadline, so his request may not catch interim General Manager Ed Dodds off guard as he works to accumulate future assets.
In the current season, Downs has recorded 26 receptions for 307 yards. The 2023 third-round draft choice has amassed 224 catches for 2,447 yards and 11 touchdowns over his career to date.
Meanwhile, running back Jonathan Taylor, who inked a two-year extension with the team this summer, is not in the final year of his deal, yet his name continues to surface frequently in trade speculation. If both offensive standouts were to be dealt, it would represent a dramatic dismantling of the Colts' roster—a scenario that could indirectly benefit the New York Jets, who hold Indianapolis' first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Key Analysis
The reported trade request from Downs underscores a potential pivot toward a rebuild for the Colts, who appear willing to part with established talent to stockpile draft capital. With Dodds at the helm on an interim basis, the team's approach to the deadline could set the tone for a new direction. The Jets, as beneficiaries of the 2027 first-round pick, have a vested interest in seeing Indianapolis struggle in the coming seasons, adding an intriguing layer to any forthcoming moves.
Originally reported by nbcsports.