Mathieu Betts, a defensive lineman from Canada, signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday without receiving any guaranteed money, but he is optimistic about his chances of securing a permanent berth on the team.
Through a videoconference on Wednesday, Betts expressed his excitement to the media, saying, “I feel like I have a really good chance of doing it.” Betts is eager to compete and strive to make the squad. “That’s the roster we were the most confident I could crack, especially in the NFL.” It was my first exercise of the off-season, and everything about it—the vibe, the conversations, and the chemistry with the staff—just felt perfect.
After a stellar season with the B.C. Lions, Betts underwent three workouts down south and earned at least one NFL offer with guaranteed money, according to sources. He made the decision to forsake that security in order to join with Detroit, a franchise that has recently included unknown players without signing bonuses on the 53-man roster.
The native of Montreal made his choice after talking with Betts’ friends and family as well as his agent, Sasha Ghavami, who has experience in the NFL having previously represented Antony Auclair and Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
Although it seems the team was drawn to his high motor, Betts is unsure of his role in Detroit’s scheme.
“I knew I made the right choice because I feel at ease with the decision because as soon as we announced the team that was our final option, I felt a sense of relief and greatness at that same instant. I’m thrilled and incredibly proud of myself. That’s all I can ask right now because I think it’s right,” he remarked.
“They were impressed by my strength on film and felt that it matched their team’s commitment to hard work.” The one thing they told me that really stood out on the footage was that they observed someone who was putting in a lot of effort, and once that box was ticked, they began to consider various football and physical capacities.
Betts has experience in the NFL; following his incredible Université Laval career, he signed with the Chicago Bears in 2019. This is not his first attempt at the NFL. At the end of training camp, he was waived. Ten days later, he signed his first CFL contract, joining the Edmonton Elks, who had selected him in the first round of that year’s draft.
Betts feels he’s become stronger, leaner, and more explosive since his last NFL opportunity, so he won’t be changing his training regimen now that he’s heading back south. The NFL wasn’t on his radar when he moved north.
I’m attempting to convey to younger players that experience is something that cannot be purchased. Some of them will eventually catch on, but when you play four seasons in the CFL and then go to an NFL training camp, you see good players, gain experience, and notice pre-snap keys earlier. All of this simply aids in making quicker decisions and improving your game, the player stated.
“I believe that everything I did five years ago, I can do better now, so I feel like I’m in a better position to make an NFL roster from a football standpoint.”
Betts has not yet met Detroit’s charming head coach Dan Campbell, who made headlines across the world in 2021 after he made comments about his squad biting opponents’ kneecaps. The Lions’ director of pro scouting, Rob Lohman, has been his primary point of contact; but, general manager Brad Holmes became engaged last week as Betts was making his final selection.
In 36 games, the 28-year-old recorded 68 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, 25 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He also gained a lot of friends during his two years in Vancouver.
In 2023, he was voted a CFL all-star and the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He is grateful for the encouragement he’s received as he prepares to retry in the NFL and isn’t ruling out a return to the CFL in the future.
“I’m sorry to be leaving British Columbia, but nothing is out of the question for what lies ahead. I informed many of my teammates of my choice by email last week.
Everyone is ecstatic and delighted for me, which gives me great comfort in my choice to go after that NFL opportunity. However, I’m not dwelling on the past; instead, I’m looking forward and am content with it. Betts stated, “I’m just trying to enjoy myself and take advantage of this chance.
“Many individuals helped and supported me both on and off the football field.
I feel as though I have repeatedly exceeded the ceiling of what I am capable of. I want to push things to the limit and I don’t want to set a ceiling on anything.
