The Lions are dipping into Canada for their first addition of the offseason. It could be a big one.
The club has signed CFL defensive player of the year Mathieu Betts, who led the league this season in sacks. Betts, 28, worked out for the Lions back in December, but wasn't eligible to sign with an NFL team until after the Super Bowl. He ultimately chose the Lions over one other NFL team and several suitors in the CFL, per his agent.
"They've had continued interest in him ever since he worked out for them," Betts' agent said, via the Free Press. "There's a really good fit. I think he fits the type of player they look for in terms of high-energy, high-motor, going to give it his all. And I think for him it was another opportunity to go in the NFL and make your way through it. He's confident in his abilities and I think he just wants the opportunity."
A 6'3 defensive lineman, Betts originally signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2019, before being waived and getting drafted third overall by the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos. He joined the BC Lions in 2022 and fittingly came into his own. He had seven sacks last season, before exploding for 18 sacks and four forced fumbles in 18 games this year to win Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors.
Betts will join a defensive line in Detroit that struggled to generate pressure on the quarterback this season outside of Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who had 11.5 sacks. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill contributed five sacks in 13 games, but the Lions were searching for someone all year to apply pressure opposite Hutchinson.
Maybe Betts can help fill that hole, along with pass-rush specialist James Houston who missed all but two games this season with a fractured ankle after putting up eight sacks in seven games as a rookie. His addition can also help the Lions offset potential losses at defensive end, where Romeo and Julian Okwara and Charles Harris are set to be free agents.