The Dallas Cowboys have appointed Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach and have selected Matt Eberflus as their defensive coordinator. This decision could potentially bring some of Eberflus’ former players to Dallas.
The Cowboys may be looking to make moves in free agency to build a championship-caliber defense. FanSided’s Maitland Rutledge suggested that the Cowboys target E.J. Speed of the Indianapolis Colts, a player with a connection to Eberflus.
Speed has appeared in 92 games over his career, starting 32 of them. “He became a full-time starter at outside linebacker over the past two seasons, with a career-high 142 tackles in 2024, ranking third on the team,” Rutledge noted. “At 29, Speed is entering his prime and looks like a rising star.”
In 2023, Speed signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Colts. Over the past two seasons, he has only missed three games and has started 26. Last season, he recorded seven tackles for loss, five passes defended, and an interception. He could fill a key role for the Cowboys and help elevate their defense.
The Cowboys already boast a strong linebacker group led by Micah Parsons, but Parsons has increasingly focused on his role as an edge rusher,” Rutledge explained. “Although DeMarvion Overshown looked promising, his two major knee injuries raise questions about his future in 2025. Marist Liufau showed promise as a starter late last season, but his size as an outside linebacker is still a concern.”
Signing Speed could provide the Cowboys with a game-changing presence in the middle of their defense. Speed played for Eberflus during his tenure as the Colts’ defensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021.
