The B.C. Lions have signed several returning players, but as CFL free agency looms, thereB次元官网网址檚 one name that remains conspicuously absent from that list: Mathieu Betts.

Betts, 28, had a career-year in 2023 recording a CFL-high 18 sacks, which was also the most ever by a Canadian.

The six-foot-three 250-pound defensive lineman was named the leagueB次元官网网址檚 defensive player of the year and also recorded a career-best 44 tackles (three for a loss), three fumbles and a blocked punt.

But the breakout season came with a downside as negotiations for a new contract between the player and the team have proven to be challenging

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still in the process. It all has to fit, it has to fit for him, it has to fit for us,B次元官网网址� said B.C. Lions co-general manager and director of football operations Neil McEvoy. B次元官网网址淔inancially, there are dominoes. You can get the deal done today but then the dominoes would be almost too catastrophic for us to deal with it. WeB次元官网网址檙e working with it.B次元官网网址�

McEvoy said he believes Betts is interested in remaining a B.C. Lion for the foreseeable future.

Betts had a base salary of a reported $160,000 when he signed in B.C. two years ago B次元官网网址� after a sack-less season with the Edmonton Elks B次元官网网址� with the Lions betting on the Montreal native finding his form.

B次元官网网址淭here is no point of no return. ItB次元官网网址檚 fluid, itB次元官网网址檚 ongoing,B次元官网网址� McEvoy said about a potential deadline for negotiations with Betts.

B次元官网网址淲e will spend those resources with Betts and everyone else. In the salary cap world, youB次元官网网址檙e not spending to the minimum, youB次元官网网址檙e spending to the max.B次元官网网址�

McEvoy acknowledged the risk that the Lions could miss out on potential replacements if negotiations with the lineman go down to the wire.

But he added that he doesnB次元官网网址檛 believe his team will be very active in the free-agent market, preferring to lock up their core talent first.

Head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell agreed with that approach, adding that his view is to focus on the players on the team first B次元官网网址� many of whom signed two-year contracts.

B次元官网网址淲e want to sign all our guys back. ThatB次元官网网址檚 our attitude all the way to the end,B次元官网网址� said Campbell.

He said both Betts and the team are looking to make a deal that works.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e working away at it, itB次元官网网址檚 not for a lack of effort. ThereB次元官网网址檚 big names in this league and Mathieu would be one of those,B次元官网网址� Campbell said.

B.C. has faced some high-profile departures this off-season, with the most prominent being receiver Dominique Rhymes heading to Ottawa to join the Redblacks,

In turn, Alexander Hollins signed a new contract after a nine-touchdown, 1,173 receiving yard season as did Jevon Cottoy who signed a three-year deal.

B次元官网网址淗e was a young guy not making as much money, now heB次元官网网址檚 making more money,B次元官网网址� said Campbell about the decision to re-sign Hollins and let Rhymes go.

The Lions have also re-signed linebacker Josh Woods to a two-year deal while Tibo Debaillie has signed a one-year extension.

Woods had 54 total tackles (45 defence, nine special teams), a pair of interceptions and one defensive touchdown while suiting up in all 18 regular season games for the first time in his career.

Backup quarterback Dane Evans also announced his retirement, with both Campbell and McEvoy saying theyB次元官网网址檙e still searching for someone to backup starter Vernon Adams Jr. .

McEvoy acknowledged he had spoken with former Lions quarterback, and current New England Patriots player, Nathan Rourke, but emphasized that the conversations were purely personal and not about gauging any potential interest in a return.

Former Lions like Rourke and Cameron Wake, who enjoyed a stellar 11-year career in the NFL before retiring in 2019, help the league and team sell itself to American players, McEvoy said.

B次元官网网址淚f you go back to a bunch of our players down there, Cameron Wake was our biggest proponent in talking about the Canadian Football League. Nathan is too. When he talks about his time up here, he has nothing but great things to say about this league and everything else,B次元官网网址� McEvoy said.

CFL free-agency window opens Sunday at noon ET.

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