The Houston Texans made an intriguing addition to their roster by signing linebacker E.J. Speed, a player who has shared quite a bit of competitive banter with quarterback C.J. Stroud in the past. Speed is no stranger to facing Stroud on the field, having gone head-to-head with him four times over the last two seasons while playing for the AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts. Now, Speed will swap allegiances after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Texans late last week.
When asked about his relationship with Stroud, Speed emphasized that their dynamic is built on respect and friendly competition. The linebacker dismissed any notion of hostility, explaining that their past trash talk was just good-natured banter between two athletes who enjoy the challenge of competing.
"I knew C.J. before he got into the league, actually. Me and C.J. talk outside of football," Speed shared during an interview with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. "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 (Anthony Richardson) 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's career trajectory is a testament to perseverance. After being selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, his early years with the Colts were marked by limited playing time. However, his role expanded significantly in 2022, and he became a full-time starter in 2023. That season, he delivered an impressive performance with 102 tackles, a sack, and three forced fumbles. His momentum continued in the following year as he recorded 142 tackles, an interception, and five passes defended, solidifying his reputation as a key player in Indianapolis' run defense.
At 29 years old, Speed now brings his experience and skills to a Texans team that could benefit greatly from added depth in its linebacking corps. His presence is expected to bolster Houston's front seven and provide a boost to the team's defense, which has been a work in progress. Given his track record of steady improvement and adaptability, Speed could play a pivotal role in the Texans’ quest to elevate their defensive capabilities in the upcoming season.
