Canadian DL Mathieu Betts released by Detroit Lions

Canadian defensive lineman Mathieu Betts has been released by the Detroit Lions, per sources.

Betts made two solo tackles and one sack in three NFL preseason games. He worked out for Detroit on December 19 and signed in February.

Canadian DL Mathieu Betts caught Dan Campbell’s attention during Detroit Lions training camp and NFL preseason.https://t.co/Zzfvag2hBj

Quick inside move by Betts for a sack on Kansas City QB Carson Wentz.#Detroit #Lions #OnePride @NFLCanada #NFL #CFL pic.twitter.com/9SSE1oXmcQ

— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) August 26, 2024

The 29-year-old produced the best year of his pro football career in 2023 with the B.C. Lions: 42 defensive tackles, 18 sacks and four forced fumbles over 18 regular season games. He broke Brett Johnson’s CFL record for single-season sacks by a Canadian player and earned three-down league all-star status for the first time. His most impressive stat: 95 QB pressures.

The Montreal native won two Vanier Cups while at Laval University and earned the J.P. Metras Trophy for three consecutive years from 2016-2018 as the best lineman in U Sports, becoming the first player ever to accomplish that feat.

After attending the East-West Shrine Bowl in January 2019, five NFL teams — the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers — travelled to Quebec City for his pro day on March 11, 2019.

The six-foot-three, 250-pound defensive lineman signed with the Chicago Bears in April 2019 as an undrafted free agent but he was released by the team at the end of training camp. He was selected in the first round, third overall by the Edmonton Elks during the 2019 CFL Draft.

Through 55 CFL games, Betts has made 81 tackles, 27 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four special teams tackles. He won the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award last season.

NFL teams were required to make final cuts on Tuesday, Aug. 27 in preparation for the regular season.