Lions sign star defensive lineman Mathieu Betts to two-year extension

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions have signed star defensive lineman Mathieu Betts to a two-year contract extension, the CFL club announced Thursday.

Betts was eligible to become a free agent this February.

The lineman from Montreal registered 13 defensive tackles and two sacks in seven regular-season games after rejoining B.C. following a stint with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

He also scored his first career touchdown on an interception return in a victory over Calgary on Oct. 4.

Betts had a standout CFL campaign in 2023, setting a single-season record for Canadian players with a league-leading 18 sacks.

The 29-year-old was named the 2023 Outstanding Defensive Player while earning West Division and CFL all-star nods for the first time in his career.

“Mathieu is an elite player in this league who is playing at a premium position,” Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said in a release. “He’s truly one-of-one, meaning there isn’t another player like him in the CFL.”

Also Thursday, the Lions announced that they have re-signed American defensive back Jordan Perryman through 2026 and added Canadian wide receiver Brayden Lenius.

Perryman registered 13 total tackles (seven defence, six special teams) in 10 regular-season games in 2024, his first campaign in the CFL.

Lenius had 83 receptions for 659 yards and five touchdowns in 26 regular-season games with Saskatchewan after being selected 15th overall by the Roughriders at the 2019 CFL draft. He also spent part of 2022 with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

The six-foot-five, 230-pound wideout from Regina was a free agent after being released by the Roughriders on June 1 after training camp.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2024.