Nathan Rourke put pen to paper on an extension with the B.C. Lions on Tuesday, tying him with the team through 2028. Now, the CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Player has some ideas for what he’d like the team to do next.
With three days to go until the opening of the legal tampering window, which allows pending free agents to discuss contracts with other teams, All-CFL left tackle Jarell Broxton and veteran running back James Butler remain unsigned. Their QB would love to see that change.
“Two really very talented players. To me, they’re the best in their positions across the league. They both are just fantastic for the locker room,” Rourke told the media on Wednesday.
The Lions have done most of their free agency heavy-lifting early, inking impact players like receiver Keon Hatcher and defensive tackle Jonah Tavai to massive extensions. They’ve also taken advantage of a few early releases by other teams, snagging linebacker Darnell Sankey and defensive tackle Casey Sayles off the scrap heap.
However, Broxton looms as a substantial piece of unfinished business for general manager Ryan Rigmaiden and his staff. The consensus top offensive lineman available after allowing a league-low 2.4 percent pressure rate last season, the 32-year-old would not be easily replaced if he hit the open market.
“We’re super hopeful that we’re able to bring him back. We were trying to make sure that we’re showing him love, and we’re hoping that if it comes down to it, that B.C.’s his choice,” Rourke said.
“Certainly been in Ryan’s ear on a number of players, (Broxton) being one of them. Obviously, I think for us, we just want the continuity. We want the locker room to stay the same, and hoping that that’s the way he sees it as well.”
The return of Butler is also on the Canadian pivot’s wishlist. The 30-year-old ball carrier was brought in last offseason in part because of his pre-existing chemistry with Rourke. He produced career highs with 1,213 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while adding 439 receiving yards and another major, but is one of a trio of thousand-yard rushers who remain unsigned across the league.
“I think JB is just incredibly versatile, does what we want to do in our offence, but is really underrated in the pass protection game. His IQ and all the things he does for us, it can’t be understated,” Rourke said. “Obviously, I’m hoping that works out numbers-wise. I don’t know the specifics, but really hoping that he’s a guy who can be a B.C. Lion next year.”
There is a growing sense that Rourke could be disappointed, with key signs pointing to both Broxton and Butler at least testing the market when conversations are allowed to commence on Sunday. Vice-president of football operations Neil McEvoy admitted that fitting the duo under the salary cap would be challenging, but was careful not to close any doors.
“It’s tough to say. Right now, we’re talking to all our free agents. We are trying to make ends meet,” he said. “It would be awesome to say at the end of the year, ‘We’re going to sign everyone. We don’t have a salary cap. We’re just going to spend freely and bring the best team in.’ That’s not the world we live in. In professional sports with a salary cap, you do have to live within the means that are given to you, and so we’re trying to make that all work.”
“We have until February 10 to figure that out, until our guys become free. We’re still working on getting those guys done.”
McEvoy also dismissed any suggestion that the team’s recent signings of high-profile former NFL running backs Peyton Barber and Tony Jones Jr. should be interpreted as a plan to move on from Butler.
“The reality is that those guys were on our neg list. Those are guys that we had looked at in the past, and we are going to bring in as much talent as we can to compete for that running back spot right now,” he said. “JB is the guy, but at the end of the day, we’re always going to bring in guys to see if they’re going to fit.”
If the Lions have any hope of retaining their big-name pending free agents, having Rourke under contract long-term will be a major selling feature.
The 27-year-old’s new deal will continue to position him as the highest-paid player in the CFL, though his earnings will reportedly stay the same for 2026. With recent increases to the salary cap, that means he’ll eat up a lower percentage of the payroll than he did in the past, which was a conscious decision.
“I don’t bother Ryan with what the cap situation is, but I know that for me, it’s always a priority to try to bring people back. I never want to be a burden to the team. I always want to make sure that we have the opportunity to sign guys and keep players that are going to make me better,” Rourke said. “Ultimately, I want to win championships. That’s the most important thing to me. I think we would agree that the deal is something that we are all comfortable with and happy with moving forward.”
It remains to be seen if the deal will provide enough flexibility to keep either of his teammates in-house. The free agency communication window will open on February 1 at noon EST and run until February 8, at which point the Lions will have 48 hours of exclusive negotiations with their pending free agents before free agency officially commences at noon EST on February 10.
J.C. Abbott is a University of British Columbia graduate and high school football coach. He covers the CFL, B.C. Lions, CFL Draft and the three-down league's Global initiative.
