The Detroit Lions are looking north of the border to boost their rushing attack.
According to Anthony Miller of SI.com, the Lions worked out with CFL defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, who is coming off an All-Star season with the BC Lions. As previously stated by Miller, the 28-year-old former Notre Dame lineman led the CFL in sacks last season.
“Betts had a fantastic 2023 season, recording a league-high 18 sacks and winning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.” “For the first time, his play earned him an All-Star selection,” Miller wrote.
The Lions’ defensive line has been hampered by injuries and poor play, and they may be looking to add veteran depth.
Lions Seeking Assistance
The Lions have gotten great output from second-year edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who is on injured reserve with a knee injury, according to MLive.com’s Benjamin Raven.
The Lions added a veteran presence in Bruce Irvin, but Raven believes they may need a more constant presence in the pass rush.
“In his brief appearances, Bruce Irvin, 36, has provided a spark.” However, an ankle ailment has already cost him a trip, making steady productivity difficult,” Raven added. “Josh Paschal has been much better down the stretch, and his inside-outside versatility could come in handy as the Lions try to find the right combinations.”
Betts has been on the NFL radar since being featured in the 2019 East-West Shrine collegiate football showcase, according to Raven. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears, but he was cut before the final roster cuts and ended up in the CFL.
Mathieu Betts' 18th sack on Day 18 of the #BCLions Advent Calendar!
With this sack, Mathieu Betts sets the record as the CFL single-season sack leader by a Canadian 🇨🇦
📸: Jimmy Jeong #RoarLikeNeverBefore pic.twitter.com/catADgLOah
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) December 18, 2023
Betts had a solid overall season with the BC Lions last season, adding four forced fumbles to his 18 sacks in 18 games.
The Lions did not immediately sign after Tuesday’s exercise, and one insider speculated that they could turn to another veteran for assistance. After being released by the Carolina Panthers, Cory Woodroof of USA Today’s For the Win identified the Lions as a possible bidder for Justin Houston.
Pass rushers must have a stronger presence, according to Dan Campbell.
This season, the Lions’ pass rush faltered at times. After a 41-38 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10, head coach Dan Campbell stated that the team needs to improve.
“Yeah, look, I’ll come back to some of this, but we’ve got to really hone in on our technique with where we’re at.” “We’ve got a lot of things planned out that we can improve on, the execution of it,” Campbell told USA Today’s Lions Wire.
Campbell also voiced disappointment that the Lions were unable to apply consistent pressure to quarterback Justin Herbert, allowing wide receiver Keenan Allen to enjoy a productive day.
“We had a number of different pressures and games that we had lined up in the second down, third down, that we just weren’t getting there fast enough and it was,” Campbell told reporters. “We talk about all the time, the rush into coverage, and it was we’re covering pretty good and then man, we’re just not quite getting there and so (Chargers WR Keenan Allen) 13, we’ve got him doubled, well, he’s able to run through the double because we’re not getting there fast enough.”
