Detroit Lions add CFL's best defender, who had 18 sacks in 2023

Ahead of the NFL draft and next month's free agency, the Detroit Lions are mining the depths for some defensive help. On Tuesday, they made the signing of Mathieu Betts, the reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player, official.

Betts, 28, is a Montreal native who played collegiately at Laval University in Quebec City. He was briefly with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted rookie in 2019 before joining the CFL's Edmonton franchise, who had drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick of the league's draft that year.

Betts played three seasons in Edmonton before joining the BC Lions as a free agent. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder experienced a breakout in 2023, leading the CFL with 18.0 sacks, six more than any other player. Additionally, he tallied 44 tackles and four forced fumbles.

He'll join a Lions team that is eager to find pass-rush production opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Veterans Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara are both set to be free agents at the start of the new league year in March, leaving Betts to compete with Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, James Houston and any future offseason additions for snaps on the edge.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers