Linebacker E.J. Speed had the best season of his career in what was his final year of six with the Indianapolis Colts.
Speed, 29, signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the AFC South rival Houston Texans, according to Fox Sports. Speed had good range at 6 foot 4, 227 pounds, and made a career-best 142 tackles, which included seven tackles for loss. He had an interception and five pass breakups.
His career developed from being a fifth-round NFL Draft pick by the Colts in 2019 into a full-time starter. He started all 15 games last season and had 26 of his 32 career starts in the last two years. He made 102 tackles with 12 for loss in the 2023 season.
His first four seasons, Speed was largely a special teams player and was on the field for no more than 28% of total defensive snaps in each of those years. He played 66% of defensive snaps in 2023 and 98% last season. But now the native Texan returns to his home state.
Free agency took on a different approach for the Colts, who let five players walk and re-signed four on low-cost deals. General manager Chris Ballard brought in seven outside free agents. They signed cornerback Charvarius Ward, safety Camryn Bynum and quarterback Daniel Jones, and spent big money on them.
By all means, Speed was a good hit in the draft for what he developed into. Next up for the Colts, the 2025 NFL Draft next month in Green Bay.
Colts insider Joel A. Erickson contributed to this story.
Listen to the latest episode of the Colts Cover-2 Podcast here, which looks at free agency and the draft.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts free agency: Linebacker E.J. Speed signs with Texans
