Josh Downs’ trade request has put the Colts back in the middle of deadline chatter, and two AFC contenders have already shown interest.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler said the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers have “checked in” with Indianapolis about the 25-year-old wide receiver, with Tuesday’s trade deadline approaching. Downs has put together 30 catches for 330 yards and one touchdown this season.
“There probably will be some wink-wink deals that ‘Hey, let's get through the week and see if what we need still stands.' Or ‘Here's the pick I'm willing to give up. Will you take it?' I think at wide receiver some of that will shake out a little bit,” Fowler said on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
He added, “Josh Downs in Indianapolis has made clear he wants out; there are teams involved there. Teams like Kansas City, Pittsburgh that have checked in on it, do they put that over the top after the game is something that's on my radar.”
@JFowlerESPN believes more teams will make moves after this weekend's games ✍️
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 6, 2026
He shares why Brian Thomas Jr. is on his radar ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline 👇
(via @RichEisenShow) pic.twitter.com/Jmqml0xXDD
Indianapolis has already been busy dealing away major pieces, sending star offensive lineman Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. That backdrop has only fueled the speculation that Downs, along with star running back Jonathan Taylor, could be next to move.
For now, the biggest names tied to Downs are the Chiefs and Steelers, and both teams appear to be in the mix as the deadline closes in.
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