The B.C. Lions are bringing back another top Canadian to bolster their push for a Grey Cup.
Defensive lineman Mathieu Betts is returning to the CFL for the remainder of the 2024 season, according to Justin Dunk of 3DownNation.
Betts left the Lions in the off-season to sign with the Detroit Lions in the NFL to a deal worth $795,000, but it did not include any guaranteed money should he be cut during training camp.
Last season, Betts recorded 18 sacks, setting a single-season record for Canadians and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player for 2023.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t grab a spot on the Lions’ NFL roster as he was among the final cuts. The coaching staff had him take reps at defensive end and as a strong-side linebacker.
This was Betts’ second attempt to make an NFL roster after signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2019. In that same year, the Edmonton Elks drafted Betts third overall, and he joined the Elks late in the season after he was among the final cuts from Bears camp.
