Sports
Colts Trade Josh Downs, Keep Jonathan Taylor in Deadline Roster Overhaul
The Indianapolis Colts traded wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline but held onto running back Jonathan Taylor and quarterback Daniel Jones, capping a dramatic midseason roster shakeup under interim GM Ed Dodds.
The Indianapolis Colts traded wide receiver Josh Downs to the Kansas City Chiefs and wide receiver Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, but the team held onto running back Jonathan Taylor and quarterback Daniel Jones, completing a dramatic midseason roster overhaul.
The Colts sent Downs to Kansas City for 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks, and also sent a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Chiefs. Allen went to San Francisco for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
The moves came after the Colts traded eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder, and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco for a 2027 fourth-round pick on Oct. 27.
Taylor remains in Indianapolis despite interest from several contenders, including the New York Giants. The Colts reportedly sought a first-round pick or a blockbuster package to part with the three-time Pro Bowler. Jones also stays put after multiple teams called about him; the Colts informed Jones before the deadline that they did not intend to trade him.
Downs requested a trade after the Nelson and Buckner deals, while Taylor spent weeks fielding questions about his future. Coach Shane Steichen said Monday that the uncertainty had taken up considerable space around the team.
"It'll be great to get the trade deadline over," Steichen said. "Obviously, there's been a lot of speculation, a lot of talk, a lot of noise the last three weeks."
The Colts enter the deadline aftermath at 2-7 after losing five straight, including Sunday's 27-23 heartbreaker against Dallas. Indianapolis led 23-20 late before surrendering a touchdown, followed by a Jones interception on the final possession.
General manager Chris Ballard was fired Oct. 19 and interim GM Ed Dodds has overseen the roster moves. With the deadline passed, Indianapolis cannot make another in-season trade until the offseason. The immediate challenge is figuring out how to compete with a considerably thinner roster.
The Colts host the Miami Dolphins at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.