It started before the NFL draft, when Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs took a verbal hit from his brother. And it continued through the draft. And now it will play out on the field. And Downs is champing at the bit to face brother Caleb and the Cowboys in 2026, according to a post on X by Ari Meirov.
“Colts WR Josh Downs on facing his brother, Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs, this season: ‘He told me if he goes to the Cowboys, he’s playing nickel. So that’s like head-to-head all game… I gotta let him know he’s the little brother in this situation.' ”
And Downs said he knows it’s on.
“I feel like his successes are my successes,” Downs said. “When his team would lose last year, I would really get mad like a fan. But when they would win, I would get excited.
“It’s fun, but now at the end of the day, I gotta go compete against him. Every year. So I’m excited about that.”
Colts WR Josh Downs hoping to excel in 2026
In his first three seasons, Downs has totaled over 500 yards each year. In 2024, he had 72 catches for 803 yards and five scores. Last year, he slipped to 58 grabs for 566 yards and four scores. But the injury to quarterback Daniel Jones played a role in that.
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Heading into this season, gone are the 100-plus targets that went to Michael Pittman Jr., who got dealt to the Steelers. That opens the door for Downs to get more looks, according to Colts.com.
“He was the No. 1 target here for a long time,” Downs said. “Alec (Pierce) is going to get more targets. New faces, new opportunities. We’ll just see where it goes.”
Downs said he believes he can have a bigger role.
“We got different players who can play ball,” he said. “Spring and fall camp, whoever is making plays is probably gonna get the bulk of those targets.”
It’s a contract year for Downs, but he said he’s taking it in stride.
“Obviously, you think about it a little bit,” Downs said. “At the end of the day, you gotta play football.”
It started before the NFL draft, when Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs took a verbal hit from his brother. And it continued through the draft. And now it will play out on the field. And Downs is champing at the bit to face brother Caleb and the Cowboys in 2026, according to a post on X by Ari Meirov.