Lions Sign 2023 CFL Defensive Player of the Year Finalist

Talent from across the border is being added by the Detroit Lions.The team announced the signing of defensive lineman Mathieu Betts on February 13 via its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

For the 2023 year, Betts was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player by the Canadian Football League.

The defensive lineman, who will turn 29 in March, has spent the previous five seasons in the CFL with the BC Lions and Edmonton Eskimos. In 2019, he also participated in the Chicago Bears’ training camp.

In 18 games over the 2023 campaign, Betts recorded 42 tackles, 18 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. And he has ninety-five QB pressures.

Lions Sign Mathieu Betts of the CFL

Betts will get another chance to join an NFL team with this one.

His pro day at Laval University was attended by five teams, including the Bears. That came after Betts’ January 2019 attendance at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

After going undrafted, Betts was signed by the Bears. Nevertheless, after the conclusion of the 2019 training camp, the team cut him loose.

After being released, Betts entered the CFL and was selected third overall in the 2019 CFL draft.

3. According to Justin Dunk of Down Nation, Betts received offers this summer to join the CFL’s highest-paid defensive players. However, he want another opportunity to play in the NFL.

Betts has accumulated 81 tackles, 27 sacks, and five forced fumbles in 55 CFL games.

How Betts Might Help the 2024 Lions

Cornerback is Detroit’s most pressing need heading into the offseason.Last season, the Lions were rated 29th in net yards per pass attempt and 27th in passing yards allowed.

However, the team’s pass rush contributed to their subpar pass defense. The Lions tied for 23rd place with 41 sacks, but leading in analytical metrics like pressure rate and hurry %.

An more talented edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson would be greatly appreciated by the Lions. With 11.5 sacks in his second season, Hutchinson led the Lions.

However, McNeill, a defensive tackle, was the only other defender in Detroit with more than three sacks, with five.

There is a significant leap from the CFL to the NFL. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that Betts will start opposite Hutchinson.

However, the depth of Detroit’s pass rush in 2023 was its greatest asset.Last season, 18 Lions defenders had at least one sack.

In addition to outside linebacker Kalen Reeves-Maybin, veteran defensive ends Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this offseason.In the unlikely event that one or more of those free agents decide not to return, adding Betts provides the Lions with a backup plan.

According to Spotrac, the Lions now have five edge rushers under contract for the 2024 year with Betts’ arrival. The Lions have added Josh Paschal, Derrick Barnes, and John Cominsky for the upcoming fall season in addition to Betts and Hutchinson.

Although James Houston is a free agent with exclusive rights this offseason, he is not officially signed. He will most likely play for the Lions in 2024 as well.

Houston had high expectations going into the 2023 season, but he was unable to play until the NFC championship game due to a leg injury that he sustained in Week 2.

Maybe Betts can become a rotational player to help Houston and Hutchinson in Detroit’s pass rush if he does well in training camp and the preseason.

Sports writer Dave Holcomb writes about the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers for Heavy.com. Holcomb, who is originally from Pittsburgh, has covered professional and collegiate sports for publications like Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker.Additional information on Dave Holcomb