DONE DEAL: The head coach of the Detroit Lions made an amazing statement that after the the done deal that…
It was the perfect moment for Mathieu Betts to try again and make an NFL roster.
Shortly after becoming a free agency in the CFL, Betts inked a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday. The former Laval standout made his NFL debut in 2019 as an undrafted free agent who signed with the Chicago Bears, but he was cut by the team before the playoffs.
But this time, the six-foot-three, 250-pound Betts will travel south of the border having already completed four seasons of professional football in addition to an NFL training camp. After being cut loose by Chicago, Betts played for the B.C. Lions (2022–2023) and Edmonton Elks (2019, 2021).
Betts told reporters via video conference on Wednesday, “It would have been pretty, pretty cool, if five years ago I was in the state I am today.” “You can’t buy experience, even if it’s a cliche and difficult to express.
“When you get a training camp in the NFL and then play four seasons in the CFL, you see good players, you acquire experience, you see the pre-snap keys quicker. I’ve also worked out the past five years so I’m stronger, more explosive and leaner. I don’t think there’s anything I did five years ago that I don’t do better now so I obviously feel I’m in a better situation football-wise to make an NFL roster, for sure.”
Betts, 28, is coming off a dominant ’23 season that saw him post a CFL-best 18 sacks, the most ever in a season by a Canadian player. That earned the Montreal native the league’s outstanding defensive player award.
That certainly put Betts in a prime position heading into CFL free agency, but after weighing his options on both sides of the border, Betts felt Detroit provided him with his best fit. In addition to the Lions, Betts also had off-season workouts with Cleveland and Buffalo.
One of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season was Detroit (12-5) as they won the NFC North, their first division title since 1993. The NFC championship game saw the Detroit Lions lead the San Francisco 49ers 24-7 at halftime before falling short 34-31.
“I don’t think I’m making life easier on me by choosing Detroit,” Betts stated. “Especially in the NFL, Detroit seemed to be the ideal option for me as my next squad because it had the group that we were most certain I could break through.
Betts is betting on himself as his NFL deal covers just one year and features no guaranteed money. But while Detroit’s defence boasts former first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson (11.5 sacks in 2023), the only other pass rusher under contract for next season is James Houston, who had surgery for an ankle injury that required the insertion of a plate and four screws.
Betts said it was difficult to leave a B.C. team that was among the CFL’s best last season. The Lions (12-6) finished second in the West Division then dispatched Calgary 41-30 in the conference semifinal before losing 24-13 to Winnipeg in the final.
What’s more, the ’24 Grey Cup will be held in Vancouver.
“That was probably the hardest part of the decision,” Betts said. “I’ve had such an amazing time in B.C. and I love the CFL, having been a fan my whole life.
“I informed several of my teammates about my decision, and they were all really delighted and happy for me, which gives me a lot of comfort. I’m glad about it now, and instead of glancing in the rearview mirror, I’m trying to enjoy myself and make the most of this chance by focusing on what lies ahead.”
Just because he’ll be attending an NFL training camp does not mean that Betts will alter his off-season training regimen.
“My exact focus is to not change anything in what I’ve done over the past couple of years to make me successful,” he stated. “I want to stick to what I do (well) because I know my body and how to perform.”
“That will give me the best chance to be the best football player possible.”
The Canadian Press released this report for the first time on February 14, 2024.
