For the first time in his NFL career, Josh Downs will finally get a chance to show the Indianapolis Colts just what level of wide receiver he is. Downs is now the Colts' No. 2 option behind Alec Pierce, after spending his first three seasons further down the depth chart.
With Michael Pittman Jr. no longer in the picture, Downs moves up, and he will be on display as a pass catcher more than ever since entering the league. Downs has surpassed the 500-yard mark in each of his first three seasons. With his workload expected to increase significantly, expect those numbers to rise significantly, too.
So while Downs will be seeking to take full advantage of his new role in Indianapolis, another Downs—Caleb Downs—will seek to take advantage of his own with the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie. The brothers are a few years apart in age, but by the looks of it, there may be very little separation between the two when the Colts take on the Cowboys next season.
An Indianapolis Colts showdown with the Dallas Cowboys next season may pit Josh Downs against his younger brother
Caleb was, in many eyes, the top defensive player in the draft this year, but considering the position that he plays, safety just wasn't a highly valued position at the very start of the draft. He would eventually go to the Cowboys in the first round as the 11th pick, after Dallas traded up from the 12th.
Caleb is expected to be a starter immediately; his college film suggests he's ready to hit the gridiron and impact the Cowboys from the get-go. At some point next season, the Colts and Cowboys will face off, which means the potential for the Downs brothers engaging in their own face-off is pretty high.
Josh, for one, can't wait for the possibility to become a reality, and recently spoke about the history he already shares playing with his brother; going up against him in the NFL will be a whole other animal.
“Yeah, we played in high school. So I feel like this matchup will be even better. Because I remember before he got drafted – not to talk about the Cowboys’ scheme or nothing, but he told me, if he goes to the Cowboys, he's playing nickel. So that's like head-to-head, like, all game. So I was like, that's interesting." Downs explained in a Colts media session. "So when he got drafted, I was like, ‘We play y’all this year.’ And he got all hype. It’s all fun and games, but I got to still let him know he's the little brother in the situation.”
It's not certain when the Downs brothers will face each other, as the NFL hasn't released the week-to-week schedule yet. However, anticipation and excitement will build until game day.
Furthermore, should Caleb be playing nickel as he assumes will be the case, and Josh playing in the slot, which is also likely the case, there should be ample snaps to watch both brothers meet each other downfield.
As for Josh's new role as a primary target, not only is Pittman gone, but Adonai Mitchell is too, which opens the door wide open for Josh. The Colts don't have much depth at wide receiver outside of Ashton Dulin, who shifts between wide receiver and kick returner, and Laquon Treadwell. Both players are the only other wideouts currently listed on the Colts’ roster, according to the team’s website.
The 2026 season will be Josh's best opportunity yet, and that should be his focus over and above all else. That said, as Colts fans prepare in excitement for a new season, there's no doubt they will have their eyes set on Josh versus Caleb, too.
Add us as a preferred source on Google