B.C. Lions ink Deontai Williams to two-year extension

Photo: Steven Chang/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions have signed American defensive back Deontai Williams Sr. to a two-year contract extension. The 29-year-old was eligible to become a free agent following the 2026 campaign, but will now remain with the team through 2028.

Williams has appeared in all 13 games this season, racking up 50 defensive tackles, seven special teams tackles, three tackles for a loss, one interception, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, and eight pass knockdowns.

The six-foot, 205-pound defender first joined the Lions as a free agent ahead of the 2025 season. He recorded 73 defensive tackles, four tackles for a loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and seven pass knockdowns across 18 regular-season games that year.

Williams previously suited up in 27 games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2023 to 2024, registering 90 defensive tackles, three interceptions, and 11 pass knockdowns.

Before moving north, Williams attended training camp with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. He played collegiately for the University of Nebraska, where he posted 122 defensive tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, six interceptions, 15 pass knockdowns, three forced fumbles, and one fumble return touchdown in 29 games. Williams earned All-Big Ten honourable mentions in 2020 and 2021.

The B.C. Lions (7-6) will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) on Friday, September 25, with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 p.m. EDT. Both teams were on bye this past week.

The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina or 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.