Coming off a successful season with the BC Lions where he set a record for sacks by a Canadian with 18 and won the Ambrosie Tour Most Outstanding Defensive Player award, Mathieu Betts will get a second chance to play stand out in the NFL.
Betts signed an agreement with the Detroit Lions, details of which were not disclosed. Since the end of the CFL season, he has had tryouts with the Lions, the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns. At the end of the 2022 season, he also trained under the eyes of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Of these three attempts, two offers were submitted to his agent Sasha Ghavami. “Since his work-out in Detroit, the Lions have remained in contact with me every week,” he said. Interest from the Lions was sustained and people high up in the organization contacted me. The contractual aspect is always a factor to consider, but there is more.”
“In addition to continued interest, the Lions have demonstrated over the years that it is possible for a player signed in January or February to crack the roster or be retained on the practice squad, continues the Montreal agent who did not wish to disclose the identity of the second team which submitted an offer. This is not unheard of. There are never any guarantees in the NFL, but the odds are good that he will get a real opportunity to shine. That’s the only thing we can ask for.”
In better position than in 2019 in Chicago
Ghavami believes that the former star player of the Rouge et Or of Laval University will show up in the automobile city in a much better situation than in 2019 with the Chicago Bears where he signed a contract as a free agent priority. He was cut at training camp during the final cuts before joining the Edmonton Elks who drafted him in the 1st round (3rd overall). Aged 28, Betts swings the scales at 250 frees from a height of 6’3″.
JIM YOUNG / AFP Services / AGENCE QMI
“Mathieu is much more physically and mentally mature than four or five years ago,” he said. He gained a lot of confidence. This experience will be useful to him. His style of play fits well with the Lions’ defensive schemes. I’m not comparing players, but he’s going to play the same position as Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.
“Coaches value effort and energy,” added Ghavami. There are other players who will be added to his position, but Mathieu will present himself with full confidence.
From the interest of the CFL
Along with discussions with the two NFL teams, Ghavami was also in talks with CFL teams. The free agent market opened Tuesday noon.
“It was funny to receive offers from both circuits,” he said. At the end of the day, we wanted to make the best decision. Mathieu wanted to get another chance in the NFL, but he was very calm. He analyzed the offers when they came in, but he wasn’t speculating on his chances. “It’s amazing to get an offer from the NFL, and it’s even better when that offer comes from a team that has been with you for a long time.”
In the CFL, the Lions were obviously keen to retain Betts’ services, but the Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats also showed great interest. If it doesn’t work out in the NFL, Betts will be free as the air when he returns to the CFL.
Defeated in the conference final against the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions won their first division championship since 1993.
2024-02-13 17:25:27
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