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ESPN- Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
The Kansas City Chiefs have acquired needed help at wide receiver, acquiring Josh Downs in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Chiefs are sending fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Colts in exchange for Downs and a seventh-round pick, the sources said.
"I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy. Nothing but love For the Shoe," Downs posted to X on Tuesday.
The Chiefs desperately needed to add another receiver to their roster. The Chiefs have struggled to pass the ball downfield, even with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Since Week 4, when the Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders, Mahomes hasn't completed a pass of over 20 air yards. Earlier this season, the Chiefs' best deep threat was receiver Tyquan Thornton, who suffered a dislocated left ankle that required surgery.
In the Chiefs' win last week over the New York Jets, Mahomes averaged just 2.8 air yards per attempt, his second fewest in a game in his career, according to Next Gen Stats, despite finishing with 242 yards and two touchdowns. Xavier Worthy, the third-year receiver, also left the game late in the fourth quarter with a left hamstring injury. The Chiefs' next game is Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta.
Downs, who is known for his quickness and route running ability, especially from the slot, had an impressive performance in Week 2 against the Chiefs. Downs led the Colts that night with seven receptions on nine targets for 72 yards.
Downs had requested to be traded. He is the second Colts wide receiver dealt Tuesday, joining Keenan Allen, who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Colts will have a relatively unknown group of remaining receivers. With no timeline established for Alec Pierce's return, the Colts will turn to Laquon Treadwell, Ashton Dulin, and rookie Deion Burks. Tight end Tyler Warren will likely be asked to carry a heavier load as well. The Colts promoted veteran Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from their practice squad Tuesday.
Downs, whose contract expires after this season, has been adversely affected by the loss Pierce, the Colts' No. 1 receiver, making Downs a target of defenses. That's resulted in some uneven performances for Downs this season, with a career-low 57.9% catch percentage.
But Downs is still considered one of the better slot receivers in the game and has averaged 66 catches and 713.3 yards in his first three seasons. He has 33 catches -- on 56 targets -- for 354 yards and one touchdown this season.
Downs had two egregious dropped passes in Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, prompting him after the game to be introspective and to tell reporters, "I got some things I've got to fix on my own."
Asked about his future, he maintained his previous position.
"I said I'm open to whatever, and if they want me to stay here, I'm going to stay here," he said of the Colts. "And if they don't, if they want to trade me away, they'll trade me away."
Downs, a third-round pick in 2023, leads the Colts in receiving yards and is second in targets.