The Colts and Texans rivalry just got even more interesting with a starter switching teams ahead of the 2025 season

Colts starting linebacker EJ Speed signed with the Texans 

The Colts drafted Speed in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has spent the past six seasons in Indianapolis, where he appeared in 92 games and made 32 starts. 2024 was his first chance to be a full-time starter, with him starting in all 15 games he appeared in and recording a career-high 142 total tackles. 

Some fans may see Speed going to the Texans and think this is an "I couldn't beat them, so I joined them" situation. That really isn't the case, I think it's much simpler at the end of the day. Speed is from Texas; he played high school and college football in the state. In many ways, this will be a homecoming for Speed.


Multiple people have speculated that the Colts and Speed were likely heading toward a split this offseason. With him signing a one-year, 5 million deal, it seems safe to assume the Colts didn't make an aggressive push to re-sign the LB. We will have to wait and see what this signing means for the rivalry. Speed will play his former team twice next season, one of which will be a return to Lucas Oil Stadium. Franklin and Speed were notably very close during their time here, and he has already reacted to the news that his partner in crime on the field is not returning to the team.