Wide receiver Josh Downs said on May 7 that he is ready to take on a larger role with the Indianapolis Colts following the trade of Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittman leaves behind a significant gap in the Colts’ offense after recording 784 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
The departure of Pittman, who played six seasons in Indianapolis and was known as a reliable target for multiple quarterbacks, creates an opportunity for other receivers to step up. Downs acknowledged Pittman’s impact, saying, “Great dude, good leader, tough as nails – I mean, a guy that’s produced a lot for us over the past couple of years. We’re losing a great player. He has a good opportunity in Pittsburgh. I know he’s excited for it. I talked to him about it, but of course we’re going to miss him in the room and just around the facility, because he’s a great guy. But I mean, at the end of the day, we all want opportunity, so we just got to pick it up where he left off and keep going.”
Downs saw his own production decrease last season due to rookie tight end Tyler Warren’s emergence as a key part of the passing game. In 2025 he caught 58 passes for 566 yards compared to his previous year’s totals of 72 receptions and 803 yards. When asked if he was frustrated by this change in targets last year, Downs said: “It was a little different. My target share went down a little bit,” adding: “At the end of the day you just have to do what you can with what you get.”
Other players will also compete for increased playing time at wide receiver including Ashton Dulin and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Dulin is entering his seventh season with Indianapolis while Westbrook-Ikhine joined after stints with Tennessee and Miami; together they bring experience and versatility that coaches hope will help fill Pittman’s absence.
Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said: “We’ve tried to do a good job in years past of utilizing those guys for their strengths,” adding: “We’re going to try to use guys to the best of their ability to help our offense.” With changes throughout their receiving corps—such as Alec Pierce signing an extension and AD Mitchell being traded—the Colts are looking at new combinations heading into next season.
Downs remains optimistic about what lies ahead: “There’s probably more opportunities there for me,” he said. “I’m excited for the new year and to see what happens with it.”
