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Colts grant Josh Downs request in trade to Chiefs for 2027 4th, 5th-round picks

Josh Downs posts on social media after Colts trade him to Chiefs pic.twitter.com/SWGjirDe9N — JD (@JoshDowns) November 10, 2026 I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 1 source•1 min read•Updated November 10, 2026, 9:17 PM UTC
Key points
  • Downs’ trade request came after weeks of frustration as Indianapolis continued to sell off pieces of its roster.
  • Nothing but love For the Shoe." The 2023 third-round draft pick expressed ambivalence about remaining with the Colts over the past week, and reportedly asked to be traded.
  • The Colts have done all four former players a solid by sending them to active contenders and it’s fair compensation rather than losing Downs for nothing in free agency.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 20: Josh Downs #2 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Downs wanted no part of what that future looked like in Indianapolis, so it was best to find a willing trade partner in the Chiefs.

Additional details
  • KC also got a 2027 seventh-round draft pick, while the Colts got 2027 fourth- and fifth-rounders.
  • Indianapolis granted Downs’ request, trading away a second starting receiver ahead of the deadline to stack as much draft capital as possible.
  • The fourth-year wide receiver posted twice on social media shortly after the Colts traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, Nov.
  • The Colts previously traded guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle, then sent defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and veteran receiver Keenan Allen to San Francisco in separate non-package deals for one pick each.
  • It looked bright out the gate as Downs started off the opening drive of the 2026 season with nearly 40 receiving yards, but has been held in check in essentially every game since the season opener.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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Yahoo SportsNovember 10, 2026, 9:17 PM UTC → Yahoo SportsNovember 10, 2026, 9:09 PM UTC →

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