Chiefs Trade For Josh Downs To Help Struggling Pass Game

by Arop KualNovember 12, 2026, 3:25 pm >

The Kansas City Chiefs have added Josh Downs to their wide receiver room in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Chiefs sent a 2027 fourth-and fifth round pick to the Colts in exchange for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

“I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy. Nothing but love for the Shoe,” Downs posted to X on Tuesday.

This season, the Chiefs have needed help in the passing game, struggling to throw the ball downfield. After a Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Patrick Mahomes hasn’t completed a pass of more than 20 air yards.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

In the Chiefs’ win over the New York Jets last week, Mahomes averaged 2.8 air yards per attempt, the second-fewest in a game in his career, according to Next Gen Stats. Mahomes finished the game with 242 yards and two touchdowns. Injuries have plagued the Chiefs’ receivers, with Xavier Worthy exiting the game in the fourth quarter with a left hamstring injury.

Downs will be a great addition to a lacking pass game; he is known for his quickness and route-running ability. The Chiefs saw this firsthand after a Week 2 win over the Colts, when Downs finished with seven receptions on nine targets for 72 yards.

The Colts hit the reset button, trading away several key pieces; Downs requested a trade following that.

When asked about his future before the trade, Downs said, “I said I’m open to whatever, and if they want me to stay here, I’m going to stay here. And if they don’t, if they want to trade me away, they’ll trade me away.”

Downs in the last year of his rookie deal, was drafted in the third round in 2023, led the Colts in receiving yards and was second in targets.