In full transparency, Mathieu Betts admits to not having thought about the NFL again until last year. He was dominating in the Canadian Football League and that was enough. However, “if an opportunity presented itself to us, we had to at least explore it. » And that’s what he did.
Tuesday, around noon, the Detroit Lions formalized the signing of the Quebec player. This will be a second experience in the most prestigious league in the world for the 28-year-old athlete. In 2019, he signed an agreement with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted player, but he never played a game with the Bears, or even with another team.
However, he will be entitled to a second chance in the city of motors within a positive and competent organization having been held back in the association final a few weeks ago.
“I thought I was good in 2019, but now it’s night and day, because I have more baggage at a higher level of play,” said the former British Columbia Lions, at day after his signature.
He has actually gained ground, especially during the most recent season. He recorded 18 sacks in as many games, thus inheriting the title of defensive player of the year in the NFL.
Even before this historic season, the Los Angeles Chargers were interested in Betts’ case, inviting him to tryouts. “I was very surprised. Not because I thought I couldn’t, but it’s not something I set as a goal.
It ultimately never came to fruition.
But the day after his team’s elimination, Betts expected to receive offers from NFL teams. “I had a good season, I was preparing for trials. I suspected it was coming. »
And the offers came. The Lions, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills have shown interest. Betts then went to each of these sun destinations to meet members of the different organizations and show them his know-how.
From Lions to Lions
A free agent in the CFL at the end of his second season with the British Columbia Lions, Betts first went to the headquarters of the Detroit Lions. When he arrived there, he fell in love.
“They were clear from the start that they were going to offer me a contract. »
Beyond this promise, the chemistry between him and the members of the organization was instantaneous and decisive for the future.
“I felt a connection that was positive, I felt like I belonged there. Obviously, I followed their journey in the playoffs. It’s exciting to join this project. This is a team that is heading in the right direction. We just had positive echoes of what was happening in the building there,” he added.
This signing, however, raises some question marks. Most importantly: Why is Betts joining a well-rounded, talented, and well-rounded team like the Lions, knowing full well that he will have to fight for a position on a team with very few holes?
“No matter which team we would have chosen, there would have been talented players. Football clubs, whether in the CFL or NFL, are not charities. If they’re bringing me, it’s because they want me in the boat. It’s that they think I’m capable of contributing, they believe that I’m capable of playing, and if I’ve been there, it’s because I know that I’m capable of playing and helping them win. football games,” he replied.
Betts, a distinguished quarterback hunter since the college ranks, was introduced to Detroit as a linebacker. The former Rouge et Or, however, specified that he would fight for a defensive winger position. He would likely be used in a hybrid fashion in games against the pass. “They are looking for complementary pieces to be able to help them be more complete and have more depth. This is where I’m going to want to come into play. »
His contract is for a period of one year with no guaranteed amount.
Close to being an Alouette
When the CFL free agent market opened, Betts was understandably one of the most sought-after players. Many Alouettes fans would have been ecstatic to see him come home.
He chose the NFL, but the best offers in the CFL would have come from the Lions and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, it is said. Betts nevertheless indicated that he had been in discussions with the Alouettes’ staff.
“I spoke with Danny (Maciocia) and other members of the organization last week. I had a very good meeting with them. This is one of the teams that we seriously considered if we had stayed in the CFL. This is a possibility that we looked into. »
Betts decided to head to the United States, even though “we considered the Canadian League until the end. »
At the same time, if the goal of getting closer to home was a priority, it was successful, because as he pointed out to a reporter, he is closer to the nest in Detroit than in Vancouver.
After Matthew Bergeron and Sidy Sow last year, Betts will try to be the new envoy of the beautiful province in the NFL. Camps will begin in mid-April and resume in August.
reference: www.lapresse.ca