A bit after losing Bobby Okereke to the Giants, the Colts will spend a bit of cash to keep another linebacker. They are bringing back E.J. Speed on a two-year deal, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter).
Speed, who saw increased playing time during Shaquille Leonard‘s injury-plagued season, will stay in Indianapolis for $9MM. Okereke signed with the Giants on a four-year, $40MM deal that included $22MM guaranteed. Considering Leonard’s contract, paying Okereke on that level was likely never a strong Colts consideration.
Playing alongside Okereke and Zaire Franklin, the former fifth-round pick recorded 63 tackles (seven for loss) despite playing on just 28% of the Colts’ defensive snaps. Speed, 27, started five games and forced two fumbles during his contract year. The Colts have Franklin locked up for two more years, having re-signed him in March 2022.
While the Colts have let Okereke and Anthony Walker walk over the past three offseasons, they have some Leonard support returning. Leonard, who played just three games during a season bracketed by surgeries, has four seasons remaining on his landmark extension.
No post for Keisan Nixon re-signing with GB today?
I guess they had the need – the need for Speed.