Colts 'Would Entertain' Trading for Embattled Receiver

The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2026 season with external concerns at the wide receiver position. However, if everything went as the Colts planned, then they'd be able to manage.

It was quickly apparent that things would not fall into place as the Colts hoped.

Alec Pierce, who signed a new four-year, $114 million contract in March to be the team's top pass target, missed all of the offseason recovering from heel surgery. He lasted 17 snaps into Week 2 before aggravating the injury and going on Injured Reserve. The Colts are hopeful he'll return this season, but his recovery has no timetable.

Josh Downs has had a positive season so far, but opponents are smothering Tyler Warren after the catch, and Keenan Allen and Ashton Dulin have either been injured, underwhelming, or both throughout the first four games. The team signed Darius Slayton a few weeks ago, but he hasn't cracked the game-day roster.

Things haven't gone well for Arizona Cardinals third-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., either.

The former fourth-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was considered "can't miss." The son of Colts legend and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Marvin Harrison was a two-time All-American who won the Biletnikoff Award while dominating for three years at Ohio State.

However, injuries and inconsistent play have led to pedestrian production and frustration from fans, especially with his effort now being called into question.

After catching 62-of-116 targets for 885 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie two years ago, Harrison has just five catches (12 targets) for 85 yards and a touchdown through the first four games. He's far down the pecking order of Arizona's pass-catching options, as Michael Wilson and Trey McBride currently average 29.0 catches (44.5 targets) for 250.0 yards and have combined for three touchdowns.

Harrison is now the subject of trade rumors, and while the Cardinals aren't shopping him, ESPN's Josh Weinfuss says teams are monitoring his situation. One of those teams, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder, is the Colts, the franchise where Harrison's father spent his entire career.

"Sources told ESPN that the Cardinals are not shopping Harrison, but other teams are still doing their due diligence on the third-year receiver," Weinfuss and Holder wrote. "Those include the Colts, with a source telling ESPN that they would entertain the idea of trading for Harrison, the son of Marvin Harrison Sr., the Hall of Famer who owns multiple Indianapolis receiving records."

Something that may make a Harrison move more possible for the Colts or any other team is that he's hired representation for the first time in his NFL career, according to Weinfuss.

With the Colts lacking effectiveness at the receiver position, would a move for a beleaguered young receiver be worth the risk?