The Kansas City Chiefs acquired wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts just before the 2026 NFL trade deadline on November 10, 2026. The Colts sent Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick (via the Buffalo Bills) to Kansas City in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Downs, who had demanded a trade earlier in the season, expressed gratitude on social media, moving from catching passes from Daniel Jones (82.3 passer rating, 34th out of 35 qualified quarterbacks) to Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP. He thanked the Colts organization in a follow-up post.
Trade grades: Chiefs receive B+. The Chiefs (6-2) are in win-now mode with an aging core including Mahomes (31), Travis Kelce (37), Chris Jones (32), defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (66), and head coach Andy Reid (68). Kansas City's wide receivers are averaging 117.5 receiving yards per game, the fewest of the Mahomes era and 28th in the NFL. Downs, 25, has recorded 1,995 receiving yards from the slot since 2023, second only to Detroit Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown (2,160). He is a rental on the final year of his rookie contract but could re-sign in the 2027 offseason. The Chiefs did not have to part with any Day 2 draft capital.
Colts receive A. Downs requested a trade and was unlikely to re-sign with Indianapolis amid a rebuild with a new general manager. The Colts secured multiple early Day 3 draft picks for a disgruntled player who already had one foot out the door.
