Could E.J. Speed’s Arrival Spell Trouble for Christian Harris?
- Mar 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 17
Let me start by saying: this isn’t about rooting for or against Christian Harris. I believe he’s a talented player with real upside, and I understand why fans are still hopeful about his future in Houston.
But after the Texans signed linebacker E.J. Speed to a one-year deal, it raised some interesting questions about the structure of the linebacker room — and where Harris fits into it moving forward.
This isn’t a prediction, and it’s certainly not an indictment of Harris as a player. But based on roster dynamics, usage patterns, and financial flexibility, there’s a scenario worth exploring where a move involving Harris could make sense.
The Financial Angle
If Harris were to be cut or traded, the Texans would take on just $267,000 in dead cap and create $3.4 million in savings. That number is the same regardless of whether the move happens pre- or post-June 1. It’s one of the cleanest potential cap-clearing options on the roster — and while I’ve never advocated for it directly, it’s stood out from a purely logistical standpoint.
Now, with E.J. Speed signing a one-year, $5 million deal, the linebacker room gets both deeper and more competitive. Azeez Al-Shaair is locked in as the starting MIKE linebacker, but alongside him, Henry To’oTo’o, E.J. Speed, and Christian Harris all appear set to compete for the OLB spot and rotational work.
And in a 4-2-5 base defense — which DeMeco Ryans uses more than any other team in the league — only two linebackers are on the field the majority of the time. That makes it challenging to carry four starter-capable linebackers, especially when special teams depth is already covered by Nick Niemann, Jake Hansen, and Jamal Hill.
A Strange and Mysterious 2024 Season
Harris’ 2024 campaign was anything but normal.
He reportedly suffered a calf injury in July, but the team never gave much insight into the specifics. Early press conferences hinted at a possible return by Week 1, but that never happened. He practiced briefly late in camp, then disappeared again. Weeks went by with little clarity, and eventually, expectations shifted toward a longer-term absence.
Then, in Week 15, Harris was activated and returned to action.
Limited Impact on Return
With Azeez Al-Shaair suspended, Harris saw significant action immediately, playing outside linebacker while Henry To’oTo’o filled in at MIKE. In his first game back vs. Miami, he looked energetic and quick — the version of Harris fans hoped to see.
But over the next two games, the impact faded.
In Week 16 vs. the Chiefs, Harris played but was mostly quiet. Then in Week 17 vs. the Ravens, he posted what was arguably his worst performance of the season, showing sharp regression just three weeks after returning from injury. In Week 18 vs. the Titans, the Texans gave starters limited snaps in preparation for the playoffs — and Harris was inactive, seemingly being preserved for a bigger postseason role.
A Surprising Playoff Role
But when the playoffs arrived, Harris was a non-factor on defense.
Wild Card vs. Chargers: 7 defensive snaps, 4 on kickoff coverage
Divisional Round vs. Chiefs: 1 defensive snap, 4 kickoff, 7 kick return snaps
While To’oTo’o and Al-Shaair played full roles, Harris was used almost exclusively on special teams.
The Bigger Picture
One reason this topic resonates with fans is because Christian Harris has had real standout moments, especially in late 2023. A particularly memorable one came in a viral mic’d-up clip, where Harris made an interception against the Browns on a play DeMeco Ryans had coached him to anticipate. That moment painted the picture of a rising young player with his coach’s full confidence — a potential long-term building block in the Texans’ defense.
That emotional connection is real. And it’s understandable why many fans are still excited about his upside, especially considering his late-season surge just over a year ago.
But since then, the circumstances — both around Harris and the linebacker room — have shifted. Whether it’s injuries, performance, or just a deepening depth chart, his role hasn’t reflected the same trajectory many expected coming into 2024.
Context Behind the Usage
It’s hard to say definitively what happened — but we can read into patterns.
Maybe Harris was still regaining his full explosiveness. Maybe the team was being cautious. But for a staff known for delaying returns until players are truly ready, it’s telling that Harris was activated — and then still only played 12 total snaps in the Divisional Round.
Add in the fact that To’oTo’o, a rookie under DeMeco Ryans, retained the role even after Harris’ return, and the direction becomes harder to ignore.
What the Numbers Say
Harris has certainly flashed — but it’s been inconsistent.
PFF Grades
(Disclaimer: PFF is just one tool among many. Context and film matter.)
2022 (Rookie Year):
Overall: 28.3 | Run Def: 29.1 | Tackling: 31.3 | Pass Rush: 45.5 | Coverage: 29.6
2023:
Overall: 65.0 | Run Def: 49.0 | Tackling: 47.1 | Pass Rush: 78.2 | Coverage: 72.2
2024:
Overall: 39.1 | Run Def: 53.0 | Tackling: 39.1 | Pass Rush: 56.0 | Coverage: 39.4
Game-by-game (2024):
Week 15 vs MIA: 79.2
Week 16 vs KC: 46.6
Week 17 vs BAL: 25.2
There’s upside — but the consistency hasn’t matched it yet.
Could a Move Happen?
Harris is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which is often the point when teams make a decision: extend or explore options. We saw this recently with Kenyon Green, who was traded before entering the final year of his rookie deal and returned veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the deal.
While Harris hasn’t struggled nearly to the same degree as Green, the logic could apply. If the Texans feel internally that they’re unlikely to extend him, it might make sense to explore a trade now and get something in return — be it cap relief, draft capital, or a depth piece.
And from Harris’ side, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s disappointed with his current role. If he feels buried behind To’oTo’o and Speed, a fresh start could be beneficial for both parties.
Could the Texans Still Believe in Christian Harris?
That said, it’s also worth emphasizing: this doesn’t mean Harris is being pushed out.
There’s a legitimate scenario where E.J. Speed was signed to provide depth and elevate competition, not to replace Harris outright. The two players have similar styles — rangy, aggressive, and built for sideline-to-sideline movement in coverage-heavy defenses. While Harris is faster, Speed is still more athletic than most OLBs and likely represents the same mold DeMeco wants in his scheme.
There are also plenty of public clips of Ryans praising Harris, including one where he teased how exciting it would be to see Harris and Al-Shaair on the field together — a moment that never materialized in 2024.
It’s possible that the staff was simply being cautious, and 2025 is the year they expect Harris to return to full form and fulfill the potential they’ve consistently spoken about.
Whatever happens, it’s clear this is a unique case — one that blends potential, production, health, and roster math in complex ways.
What Comes Next?
To be clear, this isn’t a prediction — it’s an exploration of what could happen based on performance trends, roster construction, and the front office’s recent history.
Since the Divisional Round loss to Kansas City, the Texans have:
Fired Bobby Slowik
Cut Shaq Mason
Traded Kenyon Green
Traded Laremy Tunsil
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans this offseason, it’s that they’re not operating with sentiment — they’re moving with urgency, trying to capitalize on CJ Stroud’s rookie contract window.
Whether that means giving Harris another full offseason to prove himself or moving on while they still can — we’re likely to find out soon.
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