Mathieu Betts hasn’t had a chance to flirt with the NFL since he was fired by the Chicago Bears in August 2019. For the past few weeks, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers have been eyeing the defensive end.

“It was something I hadn’t planned. My agent got the calls because those teams liked my game. I didn’t push it and was very down to earth with those drills. It went really well and I made a good impression,” Betts said in an interview.

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At the moment, the former Rouge et Or hasn’t received any offers. The NFL is currently able to offer next-season contracts to players like Betts who don’t have league ties.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve really given up on the NFL, but I haven’t woken up every morning and thought about it either. My goal has always been to work to be the best possible player to help my team,” he said.

Outstanding season

At the end of his glittering collegiate career with the Rouge et Or, Betts was drafted as a free agent by the Bears in 2019 and was among the last players to be pulled from training camp in August.

A few weeks later he made his debut with the Edmonton Eskimos in the CHL. In 2020, the pandemic robbed him of football and last season was more difficult with 12 tackles and no quarterback sacks.

This season, Betts has been rebounding pretty well for the BC Lions with 26 tackles and seven sacks.

“The training I’ve just had with NFL clubs just validates everything I’ve done over the past few years. I welcome this opportunity with open arms, and whether it works out in the end or not, I see it as a great recognition of my game.

“I’ve always worked extremely hard and always taken football very seriously. At the Löwen, I’m surrounded by a first-class coaching staff that has brought us to an exceptional level of play,” said the 27-year-old athlete.

Happy in Vancouver

In the event the opportunities received don’t translate into an NFL contract, Betts has no worries. His contract with the Lions in the CFL is still valid in the next season.

“I feel really, really good in this organization. I love the team and the city of Vancouver. We believed firmly in our chances of winning the Gray Cup last season and we will pick up where we left off,” concluded the man who teaches physical education during the off-season.