Mathieu Betts Returns to the BC Lions After NFL Stint

The BC Lions have reached an agreement to sign Canadian defensive end Mathieu Betts for the remainder of the 2024 season per TSN’s Farhan Lalji on Wednesday. This move comes shortly after Betts was released by the Detroit Lions as NFL teams made their final roster cuts on Tuesday. He played in all 3 of the Lions’ preseason games and recorded 2 solo tackles and a sack.

Betts had a strong showing in 2023 with the C Lions which saw him claim the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award. He set a record last year for most sacks by a Canadian in a single CFL season at 18 over 18 games and also contributed 44 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, and a pass defended.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke highly of Betts to the media earlier in the month and how he “took a big step from where he was when he walked in the building”. According to Pro Football Focus last season, Betts led the CFL in total pressures by a wide margin.

It is hard to imagine him having a greater rate of success than what he had last season, but if the training camp and preseason with Detroit improved him as a player then quarterbacks around the league may be in trouble. We may be able to see him back in action as soon as this Saturday.

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