Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs pushed back Wednesday when a reporter characterized his trade request as telling the team, “I don’t want to be here.”
“Those weren’t my words,” Downs said. “But like I said, this is the team that drafted me and I’m on contract. So, I’m here right now and I gotta focus on that.” via The Athletic's James Boyd on X
#Colts WR Josh Downs, asked how he compartmentalizes telling a team, “I don’t want to be here,” but also still being here:
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 4, 2026
“Those weren’t my words. But like I said, this is the team that drafted me and I’m on contract. So, I’m here right now and I gotta focus on that. …” pic.twitter.com/00UMqS1Brm
Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed Friday that Downs had requested a trade and said the two had spoken
about it.
The request became public a day after Indianapolis traded guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. Downs, a third-round pick in 2023, is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Downs played Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, catching four passes for 23 yards and scoring the Colts’ only touchdown in a 42-7 loss. It was his first touchdown of the season.
He has 30 catches for 330 yards through eight games.
The Colts are 2-6 and host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, a game that comes two days before the NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts’ Josh Downs addresses trade request ahead of deadline
