On the list of major upgrades needed on the Patriots' roster, some would argue that adding another wide receiver wasn't as dire as other positions, but when that player is Josh Downs, who played with Drake Maye at the University of North Carolina, it's easy to see why fans were ready to see the duo reunite in New England.
The Colts are in the midst of a fire sale, as they're headed for a complete teardown to the studs rebuild, so Downs was presumably on the trade block.
There was a lot of hope that the Patriots would explore what it would take to make a deal happen, especially with A.J. Brown still sidelined and Romeo Doubs on injured reserve for a few more weeks. But as the trade deadline neared, it was clear they weren't going to make a move for the receiver.
Instead, the Colts made the swing, trading 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks for Downs and immediately improving their receiving corps, which has struggled much of the 2026 season.
Now, Patrick Mahomes has a new playmaker to boost his championship hopes.
— JD (@JoshDowns) November 10, 2026
Considering the low cost of the trade and the likely high reward the Chiefs will reap, it looks like a big mistake by Eliot Wolf and a loss for Drake Maye this season and beyond.
Drake Maye won't reunite with former UNC teammate Josh Downs any time soon
Because the offense has dealt with a number of injuries through the first two months of the season, especially the receiving corps, it would have made sense if the Patriots tried to make a move for a player like Downs, who has familiarity with their quarterback and could elevate the offense over the second half of the year.
Although there were rumors that the Colts set a high price tag for Downs, the Chiefs were able to pull off an affordable deal that the Patriots very easily could have made, too, but instead, they'll watch him thrive with one of the juggernauts of the AFC.
Maybe they never had any real interest in the 25-year-old, whose career high for a season is 72 receptions for 803 yards and 5 touchdowns from 2024, so there's no reason to feel too upset about not making a trade.
Or there's a chance they're happy with how DeMario Douglas, their top slot receiver, has played this year, as he's recorded 31 catches for 434 yards and 4 touchdowns this season, making a major impact over the past month in particular.
Over the last five weeks alone, Douglas has become more of a focal point of the offensive game plan, totaling 22 catches on 29 targets, 352 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Assuming the Patriots are pleased with that and are confident he can keep that going, that might explain why they might not be too eager to call the Colts about Downs.
Hopefully, they're right. If not, the Wolf has a lot of explaining to do.
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