E.J.

Speed

The deal comes with a $1.75 million signing bonus, $1.5 million guaranteed, $1.5 million in playtime incentives, and a $500,000 Pro Bowl escalator. Speed set a career high in tackles in 2024 with 142, including seven tackles for loss and five pass break ups. He’ll bolster an aggressive Texans linebacking corps after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Colts.

Speed became a priority for the Colts following the departure of fellow linebacker Bobby Okereke, the former of whom should return to a growing role alongside Shaquille Leonard. The 2019 fifth-round pick appeared in all 17 games for the Colts a season ago but played more than 50% of the defensive snaps in just two games.

We do not know much about Speed, who was not invited to the Combine and has not drawn much chatter in the pre-draft process. Speed played linebacker and quarterback in college, but he was presented as a wide receiver. According to legend Gil Brant, Speed impressed the Colts at his Pro Day, running a 4.58 40. He was arrested last September and charged with two counts of organized criminal activity, but the case was dismissed by a grand jury in April.