The request comes a day after Indianapolis traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, with running back Jonathan Taylor also drawing trade speculation.
Josh Downs wants out of Indianapolis. A source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the Colts wide receiver is requesting a trade as the team presses ahead with what looks like a full rebuild. Downs himself kept it simple, telling reporters he is "open to whatever."
The move follows a busy Tuesday in which the Colts dealt Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. Franchise running back Jonathan Taylor has also been the subject of trade chatter, though head coach Shane Steichen said Taylor has not requested a trade himself.
Downs, a third-round pick in 2023, showed real promise in his first two seasons, catching 140 passes for 1,574 yards and seven touchdowns across 31 games. His role shrank over the past two years, and he finished 2025 with career lows in targets, catches and receiving yards. He is in the final year of his rookie contract and is reportedly drawing interest from other teams, with the Kansas City Chiefs among those mentioned as possible suitors. The Colts have until the NFL trade deadline to decide whether to move him.