Overview
- The trade request was reported Friday, leaving the Colts fewer than two weeks to complete a deal before the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline.
- Head coach Shane Steichen spoke with Downs, asked him to remain professional, and said Downs practiced Friday and is expected to play Sunday in Jacksonville.
- Downs has said he is “open to whatever,” and he is in the final year of his rookie contract and set to become a free agent next offseason.
- Indianapolis has already traded veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner after starting the season 2-5 and firing GM Chris Ballard, signaling a move to convert players into draft picks.
- Trading Downs would differ from moving veteran players because he is young and could develop into a long-term asset for another team, so the Colts and potential buyers will weigh immediate draft return against future upside.