Lions Optimistic About Mathieu Betts Achieving 18 Sacks, As He Did in CFL

The Detroit Lions have high hopes for Mathieu Betts to replicate his success from his time in the CFL.

During his stint with the B.C. Lions, Betts, who previously had a brief spell with the Chicago Bears in 2019, achieved an impressive 18 sacks and was honored with the 2023 Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.

Despite reported interest from several NFL teams, the 29-year-old opted for the Lions due to his comfort level with the organization and their promising trajectory.

Betts expressed his decision, stating, “The way they talked about the team, the way they were doing things reminded me a lot of last year in the CFL, with B.C, with the Lions. I felt they were doing the right things here and I wanted to be part of it,” as reported by The Detroit News.

Last season, Detroit’s defensive line struggled to generate sufficient quarterback pressure, failing to rank in the top half of the league in sack numbers.

While players like Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, and others contributed pressures, the Lions’ front office aims to bolster their pass-rushing capabilities through offseason acquisitions in free agency and the draft.

Assistant general manager Ray Agnew shared his optimism, noting Betts’s track record of success in the CFL and expressing anticipation for his performance against NFL competition. Agnew stated, “The best thing about him, when you watch him on tape, and it is what is, it’s the CFL, the guy wins, the guy gets to the quarterback. It’s going to be exciting to see when he starts going against NFL guys, to see how he plays. That’s the only chance you’ll have to judge him as a player. I hope he gets 18 sacks, like he did in the CFL.”