The Kansas City Chiefs acquired wide receiver Josh Downs in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts just before Tuesday’s deadline, giving quarterback Patrick Mahomes another pass catching weapon.
Downs requested a trade away from the Colts, who sold off several key franchise pillars over the last couple weeks.
Downs is already in Kansas City, preparing for his debut in Sunday’s Week 10 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Mahomes shared his first impression of Downs when speaking to reporters at Wednesday’s practice.
“From meeting Josh today, the mindset he has, he’s going to help us,” Mahomes said, via team insider Nate Taylor of ESPN. “You can tell the intellect and he’s a professional and he wants to win.”
Downs, who openly expressed his frustration with the Colts, is clearly thrilled to be a member of the Chiefs franchise moving forward.
“It’s great to join a team like this. It’s good when guys welcome you,” Downs said. “I don’t want to be a guy who ask what the play is and the formation. I was excited for the opportunity. I kind of screamed when I saw the text.”
Downs began his NFL career as a third-round pick for the Colts in the 2023 draft. He has 231 catches for 2,494 yards and 12 touchdowns through 56 games in his professional career so far.
Through the first nine games of his 2026 campaign with the Colts, Downs reeled in 33 catches for 354 yards and one touchdown.
The Chiefs will kick off against the Falcons at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.