Indianapolis Colts linebackers Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed are set to become free agents when the new league year arrives March 15, and it appears plenty of teams around the league have interest in adding to their rosters.
According to Jordan Schultz of The Score, both Okereke and Speed are expected to be “highly coveted” if and when they hit the free-agent market.
League sources expect pair of talented #Colts’ LBs to be highly coveted entering FA:
Bobby Okereke comes off a terrific season, amassing 151 tackles, 6 TFLs, 5 PBUs, 2 FF.
E.J. Speed is ready to start too. Strung together 63 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 PBUs, 2 FFs, 1 sack.@theScore pic.twitter.com/7jOxLazybw
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 1, 2023
Okereke has been the starting MIKE linebacker for the Colts over the last two seasons and played well in a rotational role during the first two seasons of his career.
Okereke appeared in 17 games (16 starts) while recording career-highs in tackles (151), solo tackles (99) and tackles for loss (six). He also added five passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Speed has held more of a depth role in the linebacker room but has played well when forced into a bigger role. Most notably, Speed led the entire team in special teams snaps while recording career-high marks in tackles (63), solo tackles (37), tackles for loss (seven) and passes defended (two).
We’ll see what happens following the NFL combine this week when the focus shifts toward free agency but if these two wind up hitting the market, there’s a chance they’ve played their final snaps in the Circle City.
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