This offseason, the Indianapolis Colts made some big decisions for their wide receiver room. The team traded Michael Pittman Jr., who had been Indy’s No. 1 receiver for the last five seasons, to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Colts also signed Alec Pierce to a four-year, $114 million deal, making him the new No. 1 in Indianapolis.
While Pierce now has the responsibility of carrying Indy’s passing game, the departure of Pittman also affects another young Colts receiver. That receiver is Josh Downs. After serving as the team’s WR3 since entering the league in 2023, Downs will now be asked to step into a bigger role.
While athletes are typically excited to have bigger roles, Downs should be especially excited because 2026 is a huge year for him. The young wideout is entering a contract year, and if he answers the bell for Indianapolis, he’ll set himself up nicely for a new deal.
Josh Downs must capitalize on bigger role for the Indianapolis Colts in his contract year
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 Draft, Downs is in the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. The Colts will likely let the receiver play the final year out, which is good because he should have his most productive season yet.
Downs has been productive since entering the NFL, catching 68 passes for 771 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. Those numbers improved to 72 receptions for 803 yards and five touchdowns in year two, but dropped to 58 catches for 566 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Things will be different in 2026 since Pittman is no longer around. Indianapolis will still lean on Pierce and tight end Tyler Warren a lot, but the clear WR2 for the Colts is Josh Downs. If he can put together a really good season, possibly his first 1000-receiving-yard season, he could be the next Colts receiver to get a nice contract.
Indianapolis’ team success could be a factor, as general manager Chris Ballard will enter the year on the hot seat. Even if Downs has a great year but the team struggles, the Colts could move in a different direction at GM, leaving a lot of players’ futures up in the air.
However, that’s not something that Downs has to worry about. He just needs to go out and produce, and Indianapolis is giving him the perfect opportunity to do so.
Add us as a preferred source on Google