Chiefs trade for Colts receiver Josh Downs just before NFL deadline
The Kansas City Chiefs acquired Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, who had asked for a trade, shortly before the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday 10 November. Coverage focuses on Downs's social media reaction, the Chiefs' receiver needs and a related roster move.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The Kansas City Chiefs traded for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs just before the 4 p.m. ET NFL trade deadline on Tuesday 10 November. NewsweekN “The Kansas City Chiefs traded for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs just before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline on Tuesday.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “his wish was granted on Tuesday.” Read at Fox News ↗ Mixed · 2Kansas City sent 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks to Indianapolis in exchange for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick. NewsweekN “Kansas City traded a 2027 fourth- and fifth-round pick to the Colts in exchange for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “The Colts traded Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks.” Read at Fox News ↗ Mixed · 2Downs, 25, a third-round pick out of North Carolina in 2023, had requested a trade after the Colts traded offensive linemen Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner; Newsweek says he is in the final year of his contract. NewsweekN “Downs is in the final year of his contract and requested a trade out of Indianapolis after the team dealt franchise icons Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner a few weeks ago.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “The 25-year-old requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts after they traded Pro Bowl offensive lineman Quenton Nelson and All-Pro DeForest Buckner in October” Read at Fox News ↗
Centre · 1After Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Downs said he was open to whatever happened and would be traded if the Colts wanted to trade him. NewsweekN “"I said I'm open to whatever, and if they want me to stay here, I'm going to stay here. And if they don't, if they want to trade me away, they'll trade me away," Downs said after Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2Downs was the fourth player the Colts traded before the deadline, after Nelson, Buckner and wide receiver Keenan Allen, who went to the San Francisco 49ers; the Colts kept running back Jonathan Taylor. Fox NewsR “Downs became the fourth player the Colts traded before Tuesday’s trade deadline, joining Nelson, Buckner and wide receiver Keenan Allen.” Read at Fox News ↗ NewsweekN “The Colts also traded away veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Newsweek reported the Chiefs needed receiver help: Rashee Rice leads them with 25 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns through six games, Xavier Worthy hurt a hamstring, and Tyquan Thornton is on injured reserve. Newsweek also wrote that Jacksonville and Dallas had declined to part with Brian Thomas Jr. and George Pickens. NewsweekN “Rice is the Chiefs' leading wide receiver with just 25 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns through six games.” Read at Newsweek ↗ NewsweekN “After Jacksonville made it clear they weren't going to deal Brian Thomas Jr., and Dallas insisted they wanted to keep George Pickens, Josh Downs became the next best option.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Mixed · 2This season Downs has 33 catches for 354 yards and one touchdown in nine games. NewsweekN “The 25-year-old WR has 33 catches for 354 yards and one touchdown through nine games this season.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “In nine games this season, Downs has caught 33 passes for 354 yards.” Read at Fox News ↗ Centre · 1After the trade, Downs posted a GIF of Vince Carter celebrating in tears at his Toronto Raptors jersey retirement, then wrote on X, "I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy. Nothing but love For the Shoe." Fans replied with jokes about moving from Daniel Jones to Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. NewsweekN “Downs posted the popular gif of Vince Carter celebrating in tears at his jersey retirement ceremony for the Toronto Raptors.”“"This is the exact reaction I expect from a man going from Daniel Jones as his QB to Patrick Mahomes," another said.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2On Wednesday morning the Chiefs waived returner Nikko Remigio; Newsweek, citing NFL insider Ari Meirov, and Fox News both suggest Downs may take over return duties, as he averaged 9.8 yards per punt return with the Colts. NewsweekN “the Chiefs made an interesting roster move, waiving wide receiver/returning Nikko Remigio. NFL insider Ari Meirov noted how, with Remigio having returned over 100 kicks and punts combined for the Chiefs, the move could signal they intend to use Downs in that role.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “The Chiefs waived punt and kick returner Nikko Remigio after acquiring Downs, suggesting they may use the former Colts star in that role.” Read at Fox News ↗
Centre · 1On the "New Heights" podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said Downs "100% made our offense better" and that he could not wait to get him acclimated, while Jason Kelce praised Downs's ability to get open against man-to-man coverage. NewsweekN “"[Downs] 100% made our offense better. I can't wait to get him in the building and get him acclimated to the Chiefs' offense."”“His brother, Jason Kelce, also suggested that Downs "has been playing outstanding this year" and praised his ability to get open in man-to-man coverage.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2The Chiefs are 6-2 after beating the New York Jets in Week 9, and Downs could debut Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons (3-6) at 1 p.m. ET. NewsweekN “Kansas City is 6-2 on the season following this past Sunday's Week 9 victory over the New York Jets.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “Downs’ first game with the Chiefs (6-2) will be against the Atlanta Falcons (3-6) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.” Read at Fox News ↗ Mixed · 2The outlets give different career totals for Downs with the Colts: Newsweek has 231 catches, 2,494 yards and 12 touchdowns in one article and 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns in another, while Fox News has 224 receptions, 2,447 yards and 11 touchdowns in 54 games. NewsweekN “Downs reeled in 231 catches for 2,494 yards and 12 touchdowns.” Read at Newsweek ↗ NewsweekN “Downs recorded 2,140 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his career with the Colts” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “In 54 career games with the Colts, he has recorded 224 receptions for 2,447 yards and 11 touchdowns.” Read at Fox News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Newsweek runs four pieces on the trade, treating it as a boost for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' receiver group, then following up on the Downs reaction, the Remigio roster move and Kelce's comments.
- Emphasis
- Chiefs' receiver shortage, Downs's fit and possible special-teams role, the draft-pick price, and fan and player reaction.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives little on the Colts' side beyond the departures of Nelson, Buckner and Allen, and its career stat lines are inconsistent between articles.
- Charged language
- “WR Weapon”“Telling Roster Move”“Sends Clear Message”“Goes Viral”
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Fox News (OutKick) leads with Downs's social media reaction and contrasts the 'reeling' Colts with the 'contending' Chiefs.
- Emphasis
- Downs's joy at leaving Indianapolis, the Colts' sell-off of players, and the Chiefs' struggling receiver unit.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not cover Kelce's comments or the reasons other teams' receivers were unavailable.
- Charged language
- “hilarious reaction”“reeling Colts”“contending Chiefs”“jubilation”
- For example
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“Downs took to social media to express his jubilation from being traded from the reeling Colts to the contending Chiefs.” — Fox News
What every side reports
- The Chiefs acquired Josh Downs from the Colts before the Tuesday 4 p.m. ET deadline.
- The price was 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
- Downs had requested a trade after the Colts traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner.
- Downs posted a Vince Carter GIF and thanked Indianapolis on X.
- The Chiefs waived returner Nikko Remigio after the trade.
- Downs could debut Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Where accounts differ
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Downs's career totals with the Colts
- Centre
- Newsweek gives 231 catches, 2,494 yards and 12 touchdowns in one article, and 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns in another; it counts 56 games.
- Right
- Fox News gives 224 receptions, 2,447 yards and 11 touchdowns in 54 games.
Josh Downs person
Downs requested the trade and said he was open to staying or going; after it happened he posted a celebratory GIF and thanked Indianapolis.
“"I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy. Nothing but love For the Shoe," he added in a follow-up post.” — Newsweek
Kansas City Chiefs organisation
The Chiefs paid fourth- and fifth-round picks for a receiver after a thin group and injuries; they waived returner Nikko Remigio the next morning.
“the Chiefs made an interesting roster move, waiving wide receiver/returning Nikko Remigio.” — Newsweek
Indianapolis Colts organisation
The Colts traded four players before the deadline, including Nelson, Buckner and Keenan Allen, and, per Newsweek, picked Kansas City's offer as the best package for Downs.
“The Colts listened to offers, and ultimately felt Kansas City was offering the best package.” — Newsweek
Travis Kelce person
Travis Kelce welcomed the trade, saying Downs made the offense better.
“"Got another weapon, another wide receiver in the building,"” — Newsweek
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre7 articles
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Chiefs Land WR Weapon for Patrick Mahomes Before Trade Deadline
Neutral Reports the trade as adding a weapon for Mahomes, with context on Chiefs' receiver injuries.
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Josh Downs’ Immediate Reaction to Colts-Chiefs Trade Goes Viral
Mixed Focuses on Downs's viral reaction and fan jokes, with background on his trade request.
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Chiefs Make Telling Roster Move After Josh Downs Trade
Neutral Analyses the Remigio waiver as a sign Downs will return kicks.
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Travis Kelce Sends Clear Message on Chiefs' Josh Downs Trade
Sympathetic Relays the Kelce brothers' enthusiastic podcast comments on Downs.
Right1 article
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Josh Downs has hilarious reaction after being traded from reeling Colts to contending Chiefs
Mixed Light, humorous take on Downs's reaction, contrasting a 'reeling' Colts team with a 'contending' Chiefs.
- 10 Nov 21:19 First NewsweekN Chiefs Land WR Weapon for Patrick Mahomes Before Trade Deadline
- 11 Nov 00:37 +3h 18m NewsweekN Josh Downs’ Immediate Reaction to Colts-Chiefs Trade Goes Viral
- 11 Nov 16:38 +19h 19m NewsweekN Chiefs Make Telling Roster Move After Josh Downs Trade
- 11 Nov 19:09 +21h 50m NewsweekN Travis Kelce Sends Clear Message on Chiefs' Josh Downs Trade
- 11 Nov 22:43 +25h 25m Fox NewsR Josh Downs has hilarious reaction after being traded from reeling Colts to contending Chiefs
- 12 Nov 00:25 +27h 6m NewsweekN Patrick Mahomes Reveals His First Impression of New Chiefs WR Josh Downs
- 13 Nov 00:51 +51h 32m NewsweekN Patrick Mahomes Gives Early Impression of WR Josh Downs
- 13 Nov 23:44 +74h 25m NewsweekN Chiefs HC Andy Reid Reveals Week 10 Plan for WR Josh Downs
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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