- The Houston Texans are signing former Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed to a one-year, $5 million contract, as reported by Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Speed, 29, is coming off a standout 2024 season with the Colts, where he set career highs in several defensive stats. In 15 games, he posted 142 total tackles, including 93 solo and 49 assisted, along with 13.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and five passes defended.
A fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Speed spent six seasons with the Colts, steadily becoming an important player on both defense and special teams. Over his career in Indianapolis, he recorded 354 total tackles (242 solo, 112 assisted), 41 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, two sacks, and one interception. He appeared in 78 regular-season games, making 18 starts, including a career-high 15 starts in 2024.
Speed’s addition brings both experience and depth to a Houston defense that has been reshaping its linebacker group under head coach DeMeco Ryans. The Texans are coming off their second consecutive 10-7 regular-season record and back-to-back playoff appearances, advancing to the AFC Divisional Round in 2024 before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In addition to Speed’s signing, the Texans recently extended edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a one-year, $35.6 million contract on March 19. Hunter, who joined the team last offseason, is now set to earn $54.1 million in fully guaranteed money over the next two seasons. The five-time Pro Bowler led the team with 16.5 sacks in 2024 and remains a key player in the Texans’ defensive line.
With Speed now part of the linebacking corps and Hunter locked in as a key pass-rushing force, the Texans continue to build a defense poised to compete at a high level in 2025.
