Indianapolis Colts' free agent linebacker EJ Speed will not be returning. However, he will be staying in the AFC South.
According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Speed is signing a one-year, $5 million deal with the Houston Texans.
The Colts will now officially have a new starting linebacker next to Zaire Franklin in 2025, which doesn't come as a surprise.
Speed has spent his entire career with the Colts up to this point, as a former fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Speed got his start with the Colts on special teams but eventually moved into a starting role during the 2023 season and was a full-time starter on defense in 2024.
Speed would allow a completion rate of 85% last season at 9.5 yards per catch with one interception and three pass breakups, according to PFF.
Compared to 2023, his completion rate allowed jumped 12% and his yards per catch over 2.0 yards per reception. He also had one fewer pass breakup and his missed tackle rate increased as well.
Linebacker will have to be a position that the Colts add to in the draft. For one, with Speed in Houston and Grant Stuard with Detroit, depth is needed. However, as mentioned, someone new will have to start next to Franklin as well.
Perhaps second-year linebacker Jaylon Carlies can fill that role, but competition for that playing time should be a part of the equation. Whoever ends up filling that role will, ideally, bring added coverage ability to the position.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts free agency: LB EJ Speed signing with Houston Texans
