E.J. Speed (Part III)
March 4th, 2026
Twice Joe wrote about inside linebacker E.J. Speed as a quality free agent target for the Bucs last year.
It didn’t happen. Speed went to the ferocious Houston defense on a 1-year, $3.5 million contract. Instead, Bucs fans were treated to the SirVocea Dennis experience.
Speed, 30, is a pending free agent again.
He was a rotational inside linebacker for the Texans (9 starts) and was lauded there for his fiery play and (gasp!) work on special teams. Speed had 62 tackles in 16 games.
In 2024, Speed had a whopping 142 tackles as a full-time starter for Indianapolis. He spent six seasons with the Colts after being their fifth-round pick in 2019 out of the Division II ranks.
Joe sees Speed — again — as a value-priced player who can produce. Perhaps Speed wants a team where he’ll get more playing time?
If Speed was good enough to start for Houston, that’s enough for Joe to hand him a Bucs helmet.
March 4th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Concur.
March 4th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Versatility is more important than excellence. How many positions can he ply, and how does he do in walk through practices?
March 4th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Dennis is gonna start again.
March 4th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Cool name.
March 4th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Him and Dre Mont Jones is worth a look
March 4th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
You had me at “special teams”.
March 4th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Gotta hand it to the Bucs, they picked a great year to need edge and LB help. Ton of guys on the open market and a deep LB draft.
Speed sounds good to me. Sign him and Trey, draft a 1st round DT followed by couple more LBs and the front 7 is transformed. The coach in 2027 can get the Bucs D to be a league average group. No more 25th-29th ranking.
March 4th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Love that guy. Too much of a no brainer for out geniuses.