B.C. Lions extend two-time CFL award winner Mathieu Betts

Photo courtesy: Martyne Vallerand/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions have signed Canadian defensive lineman Mathieu Betts to a one-year contract extension that will keep him with the club through 2027.

“Mathieu has been a consistent pass rush threat since we signed him in 2022. His motor, toughness, leadership and ability to take over games have had a direct link to BC’s success in recent years,” general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said in a statement. “Naturally, extending him was a priority for Coach Pierce and me. We couldn’t be happier to have him back for another year.”

Betts has appeared in all 12 games this season, recording 18 total tackles, seven sacks, a forced fumble, and two batted passes.

The 31-year-old first joined the Lions as a free agent ahead of the 2022 season. The Montreal native enjoyed his breakout campaign the following year, recording a franchise-record 18 sacks and earning his first CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.

Betts parlayed that success into a contract with the NFL’s Detroit Lions but returned to B.C. the following year. He made history last season, becoming the first Canadian to win Most Outstanding Defensive Player for a second time after leading the league with 15 sacks.

“I’m very excited and proud to remain a Lion for the foreseeable future,” Betts said in a statement.

“Since my arrival four years ago, this club has continued to demonstrate its commitment to building something special. My family and I are grateful for the opportunity to continue the pursuit of our team goals here in British Columbia.”

Originally selected third overall in the 2019 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Elks, Betts has appeared in 91 career CFL games and amassed 156 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, 51 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and an interception, which he returned 70 yards for a touchdown. He has twice earned All-CFL honours.

Prior to his CFL career, Betts attended Université Laval and was arguably the most decorated defender in U Sports history. After turning down a scholarship from Purdue to stay close to home, he won the Peter Gorman Trophy as a first-year in 2015 and went on to collect three consecutive J.P. Metras Trophies as Canada’s top university lineman. Along the way, he helped the Rouge et Or win a pair of Vanier Cups.

The B.C. Lions (6-6) will host the Montreal Alouettes (10-2) at BC Place Stadium on Saturday, September 12, with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EDT. The two teams met at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium last week, where the Alouettes won 37-30.

The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver, or TSN 690 (English) or 99.5 Montreal (French) in Montreal.