E.J. Speed Colts Free Agent Watch
INDIANAPOLIS – Did E.J. Speed pass the test on his first year as a full-time starting linebacker in the NFL?
That remains to be seen, with new eyes from first-year defensive coordinator Lou Anaurmo having some influence on that.
Speed became a starter late in 2023 when Shaquille Leonard was cut.
The audition led to the Colts sticking with Speed to start alongside Zaire Franklin in 2024, in the 6th season of the former 5th round pick out of Tarleton State.
But Speed was a big part of the Colts leading the NFL in missed tackles last season and lacked splash plays around that (1 quarterback hit, 1 interception, 0 forced fumbles, 7 tackles for loss).
None of those were career-highs despite Speed playing 1,010 snaps last season (Speed had played a combined 1,222 defensive snaps in his first 5 NFL seasons).
The free agency case study for Speed, who turns 30 on June 1, will be an interesting one.
Anarumo’s arrival throws a wrinkle into some things, with linebacker being a position the Colts routinely drafted exceptionally well under Chris Ballard.
The Colts did take safety-turned-linebacker Jaylon Carlies in the 5th Round of the 2024 Draft. Did Carlies’ 10-game (6 starts) starting interview last year leave the impression to where the Colts are content with Speed walking?
Ballard’s off-season onus of stressing the need for more competition could play here, too.
Would letting a true battle play out between Speed and Carlies be something the Colts need more of after running it back in 2025?
This is a tough one to gauge.
