With the Kansas City Chiefs trading for wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts before Tuesday afternoon's deadline, the team has addressed a major need on the offensive side of the ball. As Patrick Mahomes has a new weapon in Downs on the Chiefs, the team was also looking at an array of other options, such as Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who is still with the team.
Speaking on ESPN's “SportsCenter,” Rapoport reports that Kansas City had been “looking around for receiver help” this season as the unit deals with injuries and general inconsistency, as Rashee Rice leads the position group with 292 yards and two scores. However, tight end Travis Kelce leads the entire offense with 482 yards and two touchdowns, as the second leading receiver is Xavier Worthy with 278 yards.
Rapoport said that Thomas had been a target for the Chiefs, but it “became clear” that Jacksonville didn't want to “make their team worse,” as he currently has 10 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Downs is 25 years old and has recorded 354 yards on 33 catches with three scores, as Kansas City traded a 2027 fourth- and fifth-round pick for the player and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
“Originally offered a fourth-round pick, had to sweeten that deal a little bit to get it done. Ended up being a fourth and just a little bit more,” Rapoport continued. “But he is a do-it-all playmaker. He is young, he is entering his prime. They'd like to keep him beyond this year, so maybe a little bit of a tryout for Downs. This is where he wanted to land.”
From @SportsCenter: The #Chiefs landed WR Josh Downs. pic.twitter.com/8VYhWfEi9G
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 10, 2026
Downs looks to boost Kansas City as the team is 6-2, second in the AFC West, with the team's next game coming on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.