Josh Downs Trade Request Adds to Colts Deadline Decisions

The Josh Downs trade request has added another major decision to the Indianapolis Colts’ deadline plans, with the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline less than two weeks away. Downs officially requested a trade on Wednesday morning, according to ESPN, as Indianapolis continues moving players under interim general manager Ed Dodds.

The Colts’ roster reset is already underway. Guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner were getting traded on Tuesday, and Downs now stands out as one of the team’s top remaining trade chips.

Downs becomes a key deadline name for Indianapolis

It remains to be seen whether the Colts will grant Downs his request. But his status makes him a logical player to watch as the deadline approaches.

Downs is 25 years old and still on his rookie deal. Like Nelson and Buckner, he is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, which adds urgency to Indianapolis’ decision-making.

Through seven games, Downs has caught 26 passes for 307 yards. He has yet to reach the end zone this season.

Given the wide receiver market ahead of the deadline, Downs fits as a possible target for teams dealing with injuries at the position. The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs are among the teams that logically fit that description.

Jonathan Taylor remains the Colts’ biggest trade asset

While Downs has formally asked to be moved, Jonathan Taylor remains the biggest trade asset on the Colts’ roster. The star running back is expected to command a massive return if Indianapolis decides to deal him.

Still, the team has not actively signaled a desire to move Taylor. Colts head coach Shane Steichen was asked whether the running back has requested a trade and replied, “no.”

Those are hypothetical things right now,

Steichen also addressed the outside discussion around Taylor’s future.

I know there's stuff floating around out there, but JT's on our football team.

If both Taylor and Downs are traded, it would mark a clear shift toward a total overhaul and a full-scale rebuild heading into the offseason.

What the Colts’ deadline approach signals

The trades involving Nelson and Buckner have already pushed Indianapolis into one of the most watched deadline situations in the NFL. With Downs now asking out, Dodds and the Colts face another decision on whether to turn a young offensive piece into future assets.

Downs’ age, production and contract status make him a valuable name in a receiver market where several teams may be looking for help. His request does not guarantee a move, but it places him firmly among the Colts players to monitor before Nov. 10.

What happens next

The next step is whether Indianapolis grants Downs’ trade request before the deadline. Taylor’s situation also remains central to the Colts’ plans, even as Steichen has made clear that the running back remains on the team for now.