Yikes! Lions 2024 potential free agents

[SammyGreene]

3 Down Nation has released the list of Lions pending free agents and oh boy does McElvoy and Campbell have some work to do.

https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/the- ... gent-list/

I was well aware of most of them but was hoping Alex Hollins and Sione Teuhema had signed 3-year entry deals in 2022. That wasn't the the case and instead join an extensive list of starters who could hit the market come February.

Of note Rhymes and McInnis are the only starting receivers still under contract. Lokombo is our lone LB with Hladik and Woods done their 3-year rookie deals.

Betts achieved all his bonus payouts in 2023 to end up making $206,000. That contract in 2022 was based on his potential and did he ever live up to it but what is his value now and can the Lions afford him if he hits the open market? Riders' Anthony Lanier is the league's highest paid defensive player at $250,000. Can't see the league's sack leader and a ratio breaker to boot asking for anything less.

The other interesting contract to me will be Hatcher. Last winter, Rhymes asked for a trade before the Lions agreed to renegotiate his contract to the $200,000 range. Hatcher would rightly be expecting nothing less but with likely a torn Achilles he is going to miss much of the 2024 season. At 29 and in the prime of his career I feel terrible for him. Hoping the Lions reward him to some degree for his past work with some bonus incentives based on his recovery.

The one pleasant surprise was not seeing Broxton on the list.

“N” denotes nationals (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes Americans, and “G” denotes Globals.
Quarterbacks
Dominique Davis (A)
Dane Evans (A)

Running backs
Kienan LaFrance (N)

Receivers
Jevon Cottoy (N)
Keon Hatcher (A)
Alexander Hollins (A)
Lucky Whitehead (A)
Terry Williams (A)
Daniel Petermann (N)

Offensive line
David Knevel (N)
Phillip Norman (A)

Defensive line
Mathieu Betts (N)
Tibo Debaillie (G)
Sione Teuhema (A)
Nick Usher (A)

Linebackers
Ben Hladik (N)
Josh Woods (A)
Maxime Rouyer (G)

Defensive backs
Mike Jones (A)
Marcus Sayles (A)
Jalon Edwards-Cooper (A)

Specialists
Stefan Flintoft (A)

[Toppy Vann]

The number of Receivers and key players is interesting but no doubt other teams in the same situation will counter the risks of some signing elsewhere.

[Hambone]

This year's list is slightly shorter with 22 names compared to 25 back in February.

22 is also considerably fewer to deal with than some other teams. Keep in mind these 3D offerings are unofficial and not necessarily accurate.

BCL - 22
CGY - 37
EDM - 16
HAM - 36
MTL -
OTT - 33
SSK - 36
TOR -
WPG -

[David]

For what it's worth, and a lot can happen between now and the start of free agency, but it certainly doesn't sound like Mathieu Betts has one foot out the door. To the contrary. Sounds like he really enjoys his time here and values his teammates and the organization.




DH

[DanoT]

Rookie D line coach John Bowman, had imo, a big impact on Betts' play.....to be continued.

[TheLionKing]

We've seen the last of Dominique Davis - several weeks too late.

[Wanna-b-fanboy]

I would love to see Cottoy in Blue and Gold next year. Dude's a monster.

[B.C.FAN]

I would love to see Cottoy in Blue and Gold next year. Dude's a monster.

The Bombers are pretty well set at slotback with Demski, Schoen and Bailey.

[Wanna-b-fanboy]

I would love to see Cottoy in Blue and Gold next year. Dude's a monster.

The Bombers are pretty well set at slotback with Demski, Schoen and Bailey.

True, but there is always room for improvement.

[SammyGreene]

The way the Bombers effectively load up on nationals on offence (starting 6 of the required 7) you never know especially with Bailey being an American and turning 31 next year. Although Oliveria is a pending FA and in line for a hefty pay raise to say the least.

The Lions extended Cottoy before FA in 2022 and they better do so again.
Turns just 27 later this month and you certainly could see a team like the Stampeders target him if they want to actually spend the money to upgrade their thin national talent. Cottoy is a Calgary boy and would give them an impressive Canadian tandem at receiver with a healthy Jalen Philpot.

It will be interesting to see how much McElvoy/Campbell make re-signing Hollins a priority as well who ended the season as BC's clear #2 receiver. He's not going to be cheap either.

[CrazyCanuck89]

The way the Bombers effectively load up on nationals on offence (starting 6 of the required 7) you never know especially with Bailey being an American and turning 31 next year. Although Oliveria is a pending FA and in line for a hefty pay raise to say the least.

The Lions extended Cottoy before FA in 2022 and they better do so again.
Turns just 27 later this month and you certainly could see a team like the Stampeders target him if they want to actually spend the money to upgrade their thin national talent. Cottoy is a Calgary boy and would give them an impressive Canadian tandem at receiver with a healthy Jalen Philpot.

It will be interesting to see how much McElvoy/Campbell make re-signing Hollins a priority as well who ended the season as BC's clear #2 receiver. He's not going to be cheap either.

The Bombers also rotated a lot of Canadians on defense with Thomas and Kramdi starting. I surprised they didn't move Kramdi to safety and bring Alexander up to play SLB. Good to see CFL coaches getting away from that mentality.

Hladik is a must sign and I think Lokombo takes more of a backup role with Woods (Also must sign) and Varga stepping up.

[Hambone]

This year's list is slightly shorter with 22 names compared to 25 back in February.

22 is also considerably fewer to deal with than some other teams. Keep in mind these 3D offerings are unofficial and not necessarily accurate.

BCL - 22
CGY - 37
EDM - 16
HAM - 36
MTL -
OTT - 33
SSK - 36
TOR - 29
WPG - 36

Bumping to fill in more numbers. Only missing Montreal now.

[Toppy Vann]

This year's list is slightly shorter with 22 names compared to 25 back in February.

22 is also considerably fewer to deal with than some other teams. Keep in mind these 3D offerings are unofficial and not necessarily accurate.

BCL - 22
CGY - 37
EDM - 16
HAM - 36
MTL -
OTT - 33
SSK - 36
TOR - 29
WPG - 36

Bumping to fill in more numbers. Only missing Montreal now.

BC is likely to be able re-sign those they want back.
Would Quebecer Matthieu Betts be tempted to join Montreal? MTL players say Maccioca and Maas have really tried to build a French culture in the team.
Betts is a long way from home and French players are being targetted by the Als brain trust. Given how special that GC win and run up to the playoffs was, would money and being at home make a difference in his thinking?

He's tried the NFL route twice and maybe it'd be an option also again this off season.

Finally in the CFL he has a team that's winning more than losing and he's a star and leader in BC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathieu_Betts

Some big numbers in the 30s but the Bombers like Toronto should be fine in re-signing those they want.

While my statement didn't take long to look like nonsense unless Oliviera is using this as a bargaining ploy as much as a feeler for NFL interest.

Oliviera is not likely going anywhere and neither are Jefferson or Jeffcoat.

FACT :

“Playing here is a dream but the NFL stuff, ever since I started playing football was to play at the highest possible level,” Oliveira said ....

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/sports-pmn ... y-cup-loss

There are a number of all-star talents under contract for 2024, including Zach Collaros, Kenny Lawler, Nic Demski, Adam Bighill, Kyrie Wilson, and Evan Holm, though the club’s free agent list remains lengthy. The biggest name is Brady Oliveira, the CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Canadian, followed by defensive ends Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat.

Bombers need to clarify what should be an embarrassment and that's with their GM Kyle Walters and A/GMs.

The Blue Bombers may be in a bit of a quandary about negotiating with players as general manager Kyle Walters is working on an expiring contract.

“I want to be back in Winnipeg. I love it here,” said Jeffcoat, who’s played six seasons for the Bombers.

“But we’ve got to see how negotiations go and how all that goes. We’ve got to hire a GM here, so we’ve got to figure that out first.”

https://3downnation.com/2023/11/22/the- ... gent-list/

Dru Brown QB WPG will be gone for sure. See today's 3 Down article featuring Zach Collaros shilling for him as potentially the best QB in the CFL in the right situation.

Zach Collaros: in right situation, Dru Brown could be best QB in CFL
By John Hodge -November 22, 2023

https://3downnation.com/2023/11/22/zach ... e_vignette

[SammyGreene]

Would Quebecer Matthieu Betts be tempted to join Montreal? MTL players say Maccioca and Maas have really tried to build a French culture in the team.
Betts is a long way from home and French players are being targetted by the Als brain trust. Given how special that GC win and run up to the playoffs was, would money and being at home make a difference in his thinking?

He's tried the NFL route twice and maybe it'd be an option also again this off season.

Finally in the CFL he has a team that's winning more than losing and he's a star and leader in BC.

There was good discussion about Betts' future in BC during Moj's Lions on Tap podcasts last week.
In a discussion with Farhan Moj predicts Betts will head back to his hometown and sign with Montreal as the off field marketing opportunities outweigh anything the Lions could offer. Farhan wasn't as convinced
[media]https://bc-lions-radio-network.simpleca ... 3-8mCK2MK_[/media]

After his outstanding player award win, Betts is a guest a day later and hinted the Lions are already in discussions with his agent regarding an extension and he would like to resolve his situatuon sooner than later.
[media]https://bc-lions-radio-network.simpleca ... 3-MGah4hOf[/media]

Extending Betts before any other player makes sense given the likely hefty price tag and McElvoy/Campbell will know better what their cap will look like and what needs to be done in free agency if he doesn't re-sign.

McElvoy was also a guest during the Betts' segment and said Hatcher and Lee both had surgery last Thursday to repair their achilles injuries.

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions have announced their first offseason signings, and the list is surprisingly headed by Steven “Stove” Richardson, the prized free-agent nose tackle who was expected to anchor the Lions' D-line in 2022 before a pair of training injuries sidelined him for two seasons. He'll be just 28 next year, and could live up to past expectations if he's healthy and committed. Other signings for 2024 include national OL Tyler Packer and American WR Ayden Eberhardt, who both spent most the 2023 season on the practice roster after strong preseasons, and American RB Vance McShane, who had a late stint on the practice roster after skipping training camp due to the birth a baby.

bclions.com article

3downnation.com article