Josh Downs has requested a trade from the Colts. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the request on Wednesday, citing a source, and said it comes amid the team's rebuilding efforts. Pro Football Talk noted it arrives one day after Indianapolis traded guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. CBS Sports reported that Downs is in the final year of his rookie deal and is drawing trade interest.

The suitors are the part of this report that only one outlet covers. NFL Trade Rumors, citing Jordan Schultz, said the Steelers are one of multiple AFC teams that have shown interest. That outlet also described Downs as one of Indianapolis's top remaining trade candidates, with notable interest ahead of the in-season deadline. ESPN's summaries don't name any team, and the feed text we have is cut off before the other AFC clubs are listed.

The Steelers have an obvious connection. They beat Indianapolis 34-22 on Oct. 11, when Downs caught 3 passes for 47 yards, including a 42-yarder that is his longest catch of the season. Pittsburgh is 5-2 and on a three-game winning streak, most recently a 16-10 win at New Orleans on Oct. 25. The Colts are 2-5 and have lost three straight. Their last loss was 16-10 at Minnesota on the same day, when Downs had 2 catches for 18 yards.

Downs' 2026 numbers are modest but steady. He has 26 catches for 307 yards on 45 targets over seven games, with no touchdowns. That is 11.8 yards a catch. Last season he had 58 catches for 566 yards and 4 touchdowns in 16 games. His 2024 line, per our data, was 72 catches for 803 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is on pace to pass last year's reception total this season.

Yahoo Sports framed the story around Jonathan Taylor. Yahoo said Taylor could be moved but has not demanded to leave. ESPN's headline likewise says Taylor hasn't requested a trade, "per coach", though the feed text we have doesn't include what the coach said. Taylor has 587 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns on 140 carries this season, and he ran for 95 yards and a score against Minnesota. Nothing in the reporting says Indianapolis has shopped him.

The Colts play at Jacksonville on Sunday, Nov. 1. The reporting doesn't give a date for a decision on Downs, and what happens before the in-season deadline is still open. Whether he plays Sunday is also unreported.