EJ Speed Stays with Texans: Contract Extension After Strong Seasons

The rumour mill had been in overdrive, but now it's official: EJ Speed is staying in Houston. The versatile linebacker has put pen to paper on a contract extension that keeps him with the Texans for two more seasons. The deal is worth up to $13 million, sources close to the franchise have confirmed. For fans of the Texan side, this is brilliant news: their man's speed on the field is here to stay.

A smart bit of business from the Texans

Holding onto Speed isn't just a routine tick-box exercise. In today's NFL, with the salary cap a constant factor, teams have to make tough calls. The Texans' front office has shown with this extension that they know what they're doing. Over the past few years, Speed has become an absolutely vital cog in the defence. His ability to both defend against the run and hold his own in the passing game is worth its weight in gold. It's fair to say that his pace is one of his biggest assets. It's no wonder his name often pops up near the top of the lists when you're looking at the fastest linebackers in the league. He'd probably breeze through a Speedtest.net trial among athletes.

From backup to undisputed starter

EJ Speed's story is one of real perseverance. Coming in as a late-round draft pick, he's worked his way up over the years. Initially a key special teams player, he's been impossible to leave out of the starting line-up for the last two seasons. Anyone who saw him step in knew: this lad has something special. It's that explosiveness, that raw athletic pace, that sets him apart. You don't often spot him in a Speedo (and we'll try to forget that image), but on the field, his speed is a joy to watch. It's a pleasure seeing him close down gaps and put pressure on the quarterback. No need for amphetamine or any other funny business; this is pure natural talent and sheer hard graft.

This new contract is more than deserved. Just look at his production from last year:

• Over 100 tackles, making him a driving force in the defence.
• Multiple sacks and tackles for loss, underlining the value of a blitzing linebacker.
• Incredible consistency; week in, week out, he held his own.

These aren't numbers you just pluck out of thin air; these are the hard facts. And those facts tell us the Texans have made a smart investment.

What does this mean for the future?

With Speed secured, the Houston defensive coordinator can now build around him. He's got a reliable asset on the second line. For the next two years, the spot next to him might be the only real question mark, but with an anchor like Speed, half the work is already done. It also gives the team the peace of mind to strengthen further through the draft or free agency. The speed at the heart of the defence is sorted. For the fans, it simply means they can enjoy watching one of the hardest workers in a Texans shirt for at least another two seasons. And as we all know, you can never have enough pace in the NFL. But with EJ Speed in your ranks, you've certainly got a healthy dose of it.