The Toronto Argonauts have claimed CFL negotiating rights to Shilo Sanders, potentially allowing him to continue his football career in Canada if he isn't signed by an NFL team, similar to the rights they hold for Shedeur Sanders. This move is part of the CFL's process where teams can claim rights to players on waivers or free agents, with the possibility of Shilo Sanders gaining game experience in Canada.
Former NFL linebacker Kemoko Turay, now with the CFL's B.C. Lions, was involved in a post-game brawl following a game against the Montreal Alouettes, which the Lions won 21-20. The altercation began with an argument and escalated to Turay punching an Alouettes player, marking a notable incident in his first CFL season after four NFL seasons.
Former NFL and CFL player Chandler Jones died at 33 in a pedestrian car accident in Los Angeles. He played for several NFL teams and was coaching for the Montreal Alouettes at the time of his death. The sports community mourns his loss.
The CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders have added NFL free agent Chase Claypool to their exclusive negotiation list, anticipating his potential availability as his football fortunes have taken a negative turn in the last two seasons, despite his promising start with the Steelers. This move doesn't guarantee Claypool's move to Canada, but it gives the Roughriders priority if he ever decides to play in the CFL.
The Detroit Lions have signed defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player, to a reserve/futures contract. Betts, who recorded a league-best 18 sacks in 18 games last season with the B.C. Lions, has made history as the Canadian-born player with the most sacks in the league.
The Detroit Lions have signed Canadian Football League star Mathieu Betts, who led the CFL in sacks last season, to bolster their pass rush. Betts, who had 18 sacks in 18 games for the B.C. Lions, chose the Lions over other NFL and CFL suitors. The move comes as the Lions seek to improve their pass rush after finishing 22nd in the NFL in sack rate last season. The team's general manager has indicated they will be looking for a partner to pair with standout pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson this offseason.
The B.C. Lions have signed CFL standout Mathieu Betts, the league's top defensive player in 2023, who recorded 42 tackles, 18 sacks, and four forced fumbles last season. Betts, a former undrafted free agent with the Bears, broke a league record for Canadian-born players with his 18 sacks and will now join the Lions for the upcoming season.
The Detroit Lions have signed Mathieu Betts, the 2023 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player, who recorded 18 sacks in 18 games for the BC Lions. Betts, previously with the Chicago Bears and Edmonton Eskimos, has found success in the CFL and now joins the Lions to provide competition at the SAM linebacker position. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, he may bolster the team's edge defense alongside other signed players for the 2024 season.
The Detroit Lions are set to sign CFL standout Mathieu Betts, who set a league record for sacks in a season with 18 in 2023, as a free agent to bolster their pass rush. The terms of the deal are not yet disclosed, but Betts' signing marks a significant move for the Lions as they aim to strengthen their defensive line with the addition of the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of 2023 from the British Columbia Lions.
Actor Carl Weathers, best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" franchise, has passed away at the age of 76. Before his successful acting career, Weathers was a star football player who played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders and in the CFL for the BC Lions. Tributes have poured in from Hollywood and the sports world, with Sylvester Stallone and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III among those honoring his legacy. Weathers' impact spanned five decades, and he will be remembered for his iconic roles in film and television.
Harald Hasselbach, a former defensive lineman for the Denver Broncos and a two-time Super Bowl champion, has passed away at the age of 56 after battling cancer. Hasselbach, who also won a Grey Cup championship in the CFL, was known for his professionalism and grace both on and off the field. He played all 121 games for the Broncos during his seven seasons with the team and was regarded as a classy and accessible player. He is survived by his wife, four children, and four grandchildren.
The 2023 Grey Cup will feature the Montreal Alouettes against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings will face off in a heated Sunday Night Football matchup. Both teams have shown improved competitiveness recently, with the Vikings winning five games in a row and the Broncos on a three-game streak. Despite losing Kirk Cousins to injury, the Vikings have been led by trade acquisition Josh Dobbs and the impressive defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Broncos have also seen a defensive turnaround, holding their last four opponents to 22 points or under.
After going undrafted in the NFL supplemental draft, wide receiver Malachi Wideman is scheduling workouts with NFL teams for training camps. He also has offers from CFL and XFL teams as backup options. Wideman had a productive 2021 season but was limited in his junior year. He previously played for the University of Tennessee and was a highly regarded basketball player in high school.
The Buffalo Bills have signed former first-round pick Shane Ray, who has been out of the NFL for two years and played in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts. Ray had wrist injuries that limited his playing time in his final two seasons with the Denver Broncos, where he recorded just two sacks. After a tryout at the Bills' rookie minicamp, Ray did enough to earn a contract. He described his journey back to the NFL as an uphill battle, but he's grateful for the opportunity and excited to write a comeback story in 2023.
Joe Kapp, the only quarterback to lead his team to the Rose Bowl, Super Bowl, and Grey Cup, has died at the age of 85 after a 15-year battle with dementia. Kapp played eight seasons in the CFL before joining the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 and reaching the Super Bowl two years later. He later became a college football coach at his alma mater, Cal, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Kapp's brain will be sent to the University of California San Francisco for study.
