Former Lions linebacker Mathieu Betts returns to CFL, signs with BC Lions

Former Lions linebacker Mathieu Betts is heading back to the Canadian Football League after spending the offseason with Detroit.

Betts is signing with the BC Lions for the remaining seven games of the CFL season after being let go by the Lions and going unclaimed on waivers. Betts played for BC in 2022 and 2023.

Betts was looking to make his mark in the NFL after earning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023, a season in which he recorded 18 sacks. He signed with the Lions as a free agent in February. He was among the final cuts as Detroit trimmed their roster to 53 players.