The Indianapolis Colts lost linebacker EJ Speed to an AFC South rival, the Houston Texans. Speed signs a one-year deal worth 5 million dollars. The 29-year-old Speed is coming off his best season in the NFL, where he had 142 tackles, which was good for 9th in the NFL. He also added seven tackles for loss and five pass deflections. This is the third starter the Colts have lost from last season. The other two are center Ryan Kelly and offensive guard Will Fries. What does this mean for EJ signing only a one-year deal?
Houston Texans EJ Speed Background
Speed played his high school ball in Fort Worth, Texas. From there he went to Tarleton State University in 2013 until 2019. Upon graduation, he entered the 2019 NFL Draft, where he was drafted in round 5 with the 26th pick by the Indianapolis Colts. He had to work his way up the depth chart, finally starting in 2023. In 2023, Speed compiled league average numbers with 102 total tackles, 78 solo, 24 assists, one sack, and three forced fumbles.
In 2024, he brought his total tackles to 142, 93 solo, and 43 assist. The stat that did not increase was his forced fumbles or no interceptions when he had 1 in 2023. This decrease in production could be a reason the Colts let him walk into free agency. There also is the off the field drama Speed and fellow linebacker Zaire Franklin’s podcast “The Trenches” was causing as well.
Final Thoughts
My final thought on the Texans signing Speed is that it is not a bad thing. It’s still gonna be a prove-it year for Speed with the Texans. As for the Colts, this opens a spot for Jaylon Carlies, who the Colts drafted last year. There will be more on him at a later time. I also believe this will make Zaire focus more on the gridiron than making a podcast episode.
