HOUSTON – E.J. Speed weighed several key personal and business elements as he contemplated an important life and football decision, reflecting deeply as he navigated free agency.
Ultimately, the veteran former Indianapolis Colts starting linebacker and Tarleton State standout found a comfort zone through his conversations with Texans coach DeMeco Ryans combined with the lure of returning to his home state of Texas and joining a defending AFC South championship squad built to contend.
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As Speed went through his process before agreeing to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $5 million, playing for a former Pro Bowl linebacker whose San Francisco 49ers background included coaching Fred Warner and current Texans linebacker and team captain Azeez Al-Shaair resonated strongly.
“Quite honestly, DeMeco Ryans, defensive minded head coach, I loved what he did up in San Francisco with Fred and Azeez,” Speed told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview Sunday morning. “He always had a great linebacking corps. He actually worked me out coming out of college, so that was a good thing. We had that tie through there and just knowing what he did in the league.
“It’s always a good thing when you play with somebody who’s been through everything you’ve been through as a player and did it at a high level. That was a big part of my decision going to Houston.”
The Texans have won the division each of the past two seasons under Ryans’ leadership, winning a pair wild-card round playoff games before falling to 0-6 all-time as a franchise in the divisional round in the postseason, including this year to the Kansas City Chiefs.
They’ve had an extremely active and aggressive offseason that includes general manager Nick Caserio overhauling the offensive line, headlined by the trade of Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, trading for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, signing multiple defensive linemen, including Sheldon Rankins, and signing All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. (three years, $90 million) and Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter (one year, $35.6 million) to blockbuster contract extensions. The all-in mentality and approach to chase a Super Bowl struck a chord with Speed.
“Of course, I played these guys twice a year so I know their goals,” Speed said. “Their goal is to go win a Super Bowl. They’ve got a loaded team. They’ve got rookies that did their thing this year. They’ve got veterans who did their thing this year. They’re right on the cusp of doing what needs to be done, but everybody knows that Sunday is the only time you can prove everything. You’ve got to prove it on Sunday.”
Speed, 29, recorded a career-high 142 tackles last season for the Colts as he started 15 games and recorded seven tackles for losses with one interception. He played 98 percent of the Colts’ defensive snaps.
Speed has set his ambitions on making it to the Pro Bowl for the first time. He’s been a full-time defensive starter for the past two seasons after entering the league as a fifth-round pick who quickly emerged as a special-teams ace.
“I just want to to be the best in the league,” Speed said. “I want to be the best in the league at my position, at the Will position. Right now, it’s Pro Bowl or bust for me. I got to get to the pinnacle of the position. At this point. I’m not letting that pass me by.”
Speed’s addition gives the Texans a starting candidate opposite Al-Shaair at Will linebacker in an aggressive 4-3 scheme that includes returning linebackers Henry To’oTo’o and Christian Harris, who’s coming off an injury-plagued season.
“It can be good,” Speed said. “Of course, I have to watch more film on the defense because in Indy I was watching the offense. I’m familiar with Azeez’s game. I loved the way Azeez played. I know Christian was going through some injuries or whatever, but he’s a baller.
“Henry To’oTo’o, these are all guys who have been in the league so it will be good to join their linebacking corps. Stepping into a linebacking corps that’s stacked is always a great thing so I can shine in whatever role is given to m, whatever role is earned. We can all go and excel and try to be the best linebacking corps in the league.”
Getting to compete twice next season against his former team was another plus for Speed in joining the Texans. He posted an emotional goodbye message on social media after agreeing to terms with the Texans. Now, he gets to play against Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and quarterback Anthony Richardson.
“That will be lit,” Speed said. “Playing against some of those guys like JT and AR, I always got to play against them in practice, but I never got to bring them down, so it will be fun. I love Lucas Oil. I love the fans. I love Indianapolis, just taking a chance on me as a Division II kid in the fifth round.
“For whatever reason, it came to an end and now I’m in Houston. They took a chance on me, so it’s time to give them everything I’ve got. Situationally, going back to Indy, playing my guys that will be super fun. They’ll tell you the same thing. I’m a competitor. I talk a lot of trash in practice. Now, I get to back it up in games.”
Of course, Speed and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud have had a fun and friendly rivalry over the past two seasons that included banter and barbs through media and various podcasts. After games, they’ve greeted each other warmly and have known each other for years.
“I knew C.J. before he got into the league, actually,” Speed said. “Me and C.J. talk outside of football. we talk trash all the time, just two people who talk trash, that’s all that is. It wasn’t anything outside of having my podcast and trash talk. I just left another quarterback who has a lot of swagger and talks a lot of trash to another quarterback in the same draft class who does the same thing.”
Speed is a rangy, tall linebacker at 6-foot-4, 227 pounds. He became a full-time starter two seasons ago and finished with 102 tackles, 12 for losses, one sack and three forced fumbles two seasons ago.
For his career, Speed has 354 tackles, two sacks, 27 tackles for losses and four quarterback hits.
“Getting better is always the goal, that’s what we do,” Speed said. “All those stats, and everything I did in the last six years that’s behind us because that’s how the NFL season works. It’s a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league. Just have to keep improving and get better and keep striving.”
Speed’s $5 million contract includes a $1.75 million signing bonus and a $1.5 million fully guaranteed base salary for skill, injury and salary cap, per a league source.
The deal includes a $500,000 Pro Bowl escalator and $1 million in playtime incentives, $500,000 for 88 percent and another $500,000 for 90 percent of the defensive snaps. He can make up to $250,000 in per game active roster bonuses.
Speed is represented by agent Will Felix III of Maven Sports.
At Tarleton, Speed moved from quarterback and wide receiver to linebacker. He was a two-time All-Lone Star Conference selection who finished his career with 231 tackles, 36 for losses, 11 1/2 sacks and eight forced fumbles.
Speed has run the 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds with a 34-inch vertical leap, a 10-0 broad jump and 24 bench reps
Known for his pursuit and athleticism as a run-and-chase linebacker, Speed plans to make his presence felt every play.
“Just downhill, hard-nosed, loves to make plays,” Speed said. “Getting the ball back is everything for me. Gotta get the ball. That’s why we play the game. is to take the ball away. Houston, they’ve got a great front. Stingley some of the best ball skills I’ve ever seen, so just going into my role and taking the ball away, that’s what I want. I want to have the most turnovers as a defense in the league. I feel like if we get the ball back into C.J.s hands and (Joe) Mixon’s hands, we can win games.”
Speed chose the Texans over the Dallas Cowboys and the 49ers
“I get to be closer to family,” Speed said. “Like I told my mom, I ain’t been to Thanksgiving in six years. Get me a homecooked meal.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
