Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) attempts to catch a pass against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Josh Downs is not sweating the addition of Keenan Allen to the Indianapolis Colts' wide receiver room.
Allen, who is coming off a short comeback stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, arrives in Indianapolis on a one-year, $3.32 million contract. Although his best days are already behind him, Allen is still someone expected to draw ample looks downfield from quarterback Daniel Jones.
The 34-year-old Allen's presence could have a significant impact on Downs' target share, but he is not worried about it.
“Nah, coach gon’ handle it how he wants to handle it. So, that’s his responsibility,” the 25-year-old Downs said in front of the media on Wednesday (h/t James Boyd of The Athletic).
If anything, Downs could learn a lot even from just being around Allen, who has a wealth of experience in the pros.
Allen played 11 of his first 13 seasons in the NFL with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers franchise before playing the 2024 campaign with the Bears. He returned to the Chargers on a one-year deal for the 2025 campaign before deciding to take his talents to the AFC South to play for the Colts.
So far in his NFL career, Allen has 12,051 receiving yards and 70 touchdowns on 1,055 receptions and 1,552 targets across 171 games. Even at this stage of his career, the former California Golden Bears star wideout can stretch the field and make great plays, and Indianapolis is surely expecting to see that from him in 2026.
Downs, meanwhile, is entering just his fourth season in the league. He took a step back in 2025, going from 803 receiving yards in 2024 to only 566 in 2025.