The free agency legal tampering window opened on Monday, allowing teams to negotiate deals with pending free agents. The Indianapolis Colts opened in good faith to prioritize in-house players. Unfortunately, not every player can stay, so tough decisions will be made.
This was the case with free agent linebackers Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed. The team could not keep both, and Okereke is off to New York to join the Giants on a four-year deal. As a result, his counterpart, Speed, re-signed with the team on a two-year contract.
With Speed now set to join Shaquille Leonard and Zaire Franklin as part of the linebacker corps, here’s how Twitter reacted:
Breaking: FA LB E.J. Speed is re-signing with the #Colts on a two-year deal worth $8M, sources tell @theScore. 500k in incentives each year.
Very good player back to Indy.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2023
E.J. Speed is back in Indy. Solid pay for the former 5th round pick who has become a special teams star with the Colts. Speed will likely see the field more on defense as well. https://t.co/7xIpcz3noh
— Andrew Moore (@AndrewMooreNFL) March 14, 2023
I LOVE THIS MOVE. WELCOME BACK @EJ_SPEED 🔥💪 https://t.co/X7Ly9Qv3ew
— Jack Rizzo (@MrJackRizz) March 14, 2023
Big re-signing by Indy. Speed is an ascending player https://t.co/TCAS1qvwBK
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) March 14, 2023
Yeaaaaas SPEED!! https://t.co/tWw9FoLVgF
— Parris Campbell (@PCampbell21) March 14, 2023
This one actually surprises me a bit, thought Indy might get outbid.
Lots of upside still, great news! https://t.co/xO0FmGoaQp
— Uncle Brento (@FanOfNuance) March 14, 2023
Great deal for an ascending young player! https://t.co/8n5lmMNqd8
— Landon Oliver (@Landon3MR) March 14, 2023
I’ll take it! Glad to have E.J. back. https://t.co/tJUG0OzbUs
— Kev Nivek (@kevnivek_) March 14, 2023
Colts keeping the cheaper of their UFA LBs. EJ Speed is back! https://t.co/Rq8EduSMg1 pic.twitter.com/I2Mv80f18X
— Jay Robins 🧾mark (@RobinsLucas) March 14, 2023
This is one I’ve been waiting for @EJ_SPEED proved himself last year and he’s only gonna get better, happy that we’re keeping him in Indy! https://t.co/oyT84lytav
— Indys Resident Bruins Fan (50-10-5, 105pts) Fan (@KennedyI57) March 14, 2023
Atta way EJ!! @EJ_SPEED 🔥 https://t.co/FE3kwQIzef
— Gina P ☕ (@yes_hi_hello_) March 14, 2023
💙🏈💙 Great! https://t.co/6DQE0tAfQa
— KRISTY DEER 🦌 (@KristyDeer) March 14, 2023
This is how I hope E.J. talks to himself before every game he plays https://t.co/l4dx9LddOy pic.twitter.com/f6ZohKpsg4
— Anand Nanduri (@NanduriNFL) March 14, 2023
Let's get it SPEED!! Congratulations bro @EJ_SPEED https://t.co/rumh12TLj7
— Darius Shaquille Leonard (@dsleon45) March 14, 2023
Hey hey. Now I like that. Good to keep EJ. Core of Shaq (if healthy) Zaire & EJ is still top tier. 🔥 Good for EJ man. https://t.co/P8Brk3ki0g
— Steichen SZN (@SpeedBlue23) March 14, 2023
Busy day in the LB market, and the #Colts keep one of their own.
Speed has proven to be a standout special-teamer and a more than capable defender. Great value here for Indy. https://t.co/pzmib086Zt— George Bremer (@gmbremer) March 14, 2023
— LovinBlue (@LovinBlue) March 14, 2023
Excellent news for Colts defense and Colts special teams and super reasonable! https://t.co/GxgntV1Iwl
— MyColtsFab5 (@MylFab5) March 14, 2023
LETS GOOOOOO. PLAYMAKER https://t.co/Nl1AAwdOtv
— Aura (@AurasOnHere) March 14, 2023
Speeezeeerrrrdddd https://t.co/QRKXDNSGwE
— Grant Stuard (@GrantStuard_3) March 14, 2023
You deserved it @EJ_SPEED! Keep ballin out for the Shoe!! Let’s go @Colts!! #Funkytown #LakeComo #Colts https://t.co/eC04SeiXst
— Anthony H. (@ahunt817) March 14, 2023