The B.C. Lions have signed receiver and kick returner Jaelon Darden.
The five-foot-nine, 175-pound native of Houston, Texas was a fourth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He played 21 regular-season games with the team, recording 50 punt returns for 472 yards, 21 kickoff returns for 426 yards, and eight receptions for 14 yards.
The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and played 10 regular-season games with the club, recording 61 punt returns for 633 yards and six kickoff returns for 139 yards. He played Seattle Seahawks for the final five regular-season games in 2024 and returned seven kickoffs for 199 yards and 10 punt returns for 75 yards.
Darden played collegiately at the University of North Texas where he set program records in receptions (230), receiving yards (2,782), and touchdowns (38). He was named the Conference USA Most Valuable Player in 2020.
“Jaelon gives Buck (Pierce)’s offence another playmaker at wide receiver and another elite option in the return game for our special teams unit,” said general manager Ryan Rigmaiden in a statement. “Adding explosive players to the roster is always a priority, and we’re excited to have him.”
The B.C. Lions finished second in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record and beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final before losing the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts, posting an 11-5 record. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.
The Lions ranked first in net offence, fourth in net defence, and sixth with a turnover differential of minus-four. James Butler rushed for 1,213 yards, Keon Hatcher led the CFL with 1,688 receiving yards, and Micah Awe led the league with 117 tackles. B.C. finished third in attendance with average crowds of 27,124, which was a 0.9 percent increase from the previous year.
