Colts Wide Receiver Josh Downs Requests a Trade, Says He Is 'Open to Whatever'

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, according to ESPN. The 25-year-old did not deny the report when speaking to reporters.

Downs said, according to ESPN: 'I'm open to whatever. Whatever comes my way, comes my way and we go from there.' His remarks make clear he is not ruling out leaving Indianapolis.

Downs' request comes amid the Colts' sweeping roster overhaul, which this week sent two of the team's franchise cornerstones, Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, away in separate deals.

The Colts traded Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for third- and fifth-round draft picks, and sent Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick. The picks are particularly valuable to Indianapolis because the team does not own its first-round selection in next year's draft — it was traded to the New York Jets last year for cornerback Sauce Gardner.

The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard last week, and after Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the team appears to be entering a rebuilding phase.

Downs has spent his entire four-year NFL career with the Colts, after Indianapolis selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.

In seven games this season, Downs has caught 26 passes for 307 yards. In 54 career games with the Colts, he has recorded 224 receptions for 2,447 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has also returned punts, averaging 9.4 yards per return during his career.

The trade deadline is November 10, and Downs could be playing elsewhere by then if the Colts grant his reported request.

If Downs remains with Indianapolis through Sunday, the Colts will face the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1 p.m. Eastern — in what could be his final game with the team.