Texans Add LB E.J. Speed on One-Year Deal

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The Houston Texans have added a new linebacker to their defense for 2025.

According to reports, the Texans and former Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed have agreed to terms on a one-year, $5 million deal. Speed brings starting experience, speed (pun intended), and physicality to a linebacker room that has battled injuries and inconsistency over the past year.

Speed, 29, is coming off his best season yet after stepping into a full-time starting role in 2023. In 2024, he recorded 142 total tackles, including 93 solo stops — tied for the third-most among all defenders. He also added seven tackles for loss and five pass breakups, starting all 15 games he appeared in and playing 98 percent of the Colts' defensive snaps in those outings.

A fifth-round pick by Indianapolis in 2019 out of Tarleton State, Speed began his NFL career as a special teams standout before eventually taking over the starting role from All-Pro Shaquille Leonard. His blend of size, range, and effort made him a reliable piece in Gus Bradley’s defense — and now he’ll look to carve out a similar impact under DeMeco Ryans in Houston.

Speed figures to compete for a starting spot at WILL linebacker, but at the very least will provide quality depth and help on special teams. His addition helps fortify a Texans linebacker group that includes Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, Nick Niemann, Jake Hansen, and Jamal Hill.

Al-Shaair missed time last season due to injury and a suspension, while Harris played in only five games due to a lingering calf injury that limited him throughout the year. With Harris entering a contract year and the Texans likely to play two linebackers a majority of the time (barring health) in their 4-2-5 base, the competition will be fierce for rotational snaps.

This move also reduces the likelihood the Texans spend one of their top draft picks at linebacker, allowing them to focus on addressing offensive needs next month.

A Fun Twist: Stroud & Speed Reunited

Aside from the on-field impact, this is also a fun signing because of the long-running light-hearted trash talk between E.J. Speed and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. The two have taken friendly jabs at each other on various podcasts and interviews over the years — and now, they’ll share a locker room.

Despite the back-and-forth, both players are represented by the same agent, David Mulugheta, and by all accounts the banter is in good fun.

And for what it’s worth: Stroud’s Texans are 3-1 against Speed’s Colts since he entered the league.

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!