Potential Lions 2025 free agent list

[don corleone]

Interesting comparison and a good chance these guys have known each other for a while.

Both played in the 2017 Vanier Cup and were the first players drafted off their U sports teams the following year. Both have turned out to be great picks and I will be very surprised if either moves from their present situation.

The other thing they have in common as OV points out is they seem to be under utilized if you can possibly say that about players that do so many different things for the team. Both have big play capability.

That said, $130,000 is good money for a National special teamer warranted now by their role as team leaders. Important to have the next one on an entry level deal ready to take over in the event the incumbent becomes too expensive.

[SammyGreene]

I take it with our salary cap mess after adding Rourke's $250,000 contract mid-season (plus Betts at $150,000 too) we don't have a dime of 2024 money left to sign anyone before the end of the calendar year.

I used to subscribe to the idea some teams would have quite a bit of money left in the calendar year to do that. Now I'm more of the opinion that those who don't go over are so close to the cap that they don't have much left use for any signing bonuses for next year deals that are paid out before the end of this year. For the 2023 season 6 of 9 stayed under the SMS limit while for 2022 it was 5 of 9 who theoretically had a bit left over to use. I'd love it if the CFL published final SMS numbers for all teams whether they were over or under.

It's damn impressive what Maciocia is doing in Montreal — extending many players mid-season and before the calendar year is done. Reminds of the glory days with Wally when it seemed none of their key guys came close to reaching free agency and many extended mid-season like Clermont so a Regina homecoming was never near until he was past his prime.

Maciocia's work:
Austin Mack Aug. 27
Tyler Snead Aug. 29
Nick Callender Aug. 30
Cole Spieker Oct. 1
Tyrice Beverette Nov. 20
Davis Alexander Nov. 27
Najee Murray Dec 3
Wes Sutton Dec 4
Thomas Erlington Dec 5
Joseph Zema Dec 6
Sam Clark Dec.6
Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund Dec.10

[don corleone]

There's a nice Christmas present with Matthieu Betts wrapped up for 2 more years. He is a force.

Wondering what that cost?

[B.C.FAN]

Great news on the Betts extension.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/19/b-c- ... ough-2026/

[SammyGreene]

Great news! Do we now have the league’s highest paid offensive and defensive players? Farhan was suggesting around the $275,000 range before he signed with Detroit but maybe the price has come down a bit.
Regardless, great to see he wants to stay on the west coast.

[B.C.FAN]

According to Justin Dunk, Betts will earn $260,000 in hard money in 2025 and $270,000 in 2026, making him the highest paid defensive player in the CFL.

[TheLionKing]

Now let's get Justin McInnis done.

[Hambone]

According to Justin Dunk, Betts will earn $260,000 in hard money in 2025 and $270,000 in 2026, making him the highest paid defensive player in the CFL.

Lol. Highest paid for now. Last year Orimolade was tops at $240K followed by Ceresna at $210K and McManis at $206.5K; all hard money. DLs Mike Rose, Willie Jefferson and Mustafa Johnson rounded out the group at $200K each. Orimolade is under contract while Ceresna and McManis are both pending FAs. McManis in particular is likely to get a significant bump in 2025 while Orimolade could be in line for one when his current deal expires after the upcoming season.

Footnote 1: 2024's 3 highest paid defensive players were Argos.
Footnote 2: Riders Anthony Lanier had been the highest paid in 2023 at $250K.

[Hambone]

BC signs FA NAT receiver Brayden Lenius formerly of the Riders as well as re-signing Jordan Perryman to a 2 year deal.

Lenius was born in Regina but raised in North Van playing high school ball at Carson Graham. He's really struggled with injuries. If healthy he could soften the blow of a potential loss of Justin McInnis. If McInnis is extended he'd be a good fit in the role Jake Harty was expected to fill in 2024, being depth behind McInnis & Cottoy. He's a big body like Cottoy at 6'5 230.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/19/b-c- ... one-other/

[B.C.FAN]

Not a potential free agent, but the Lions have signed former Saskatchewan WR Brayden Lenius, a second round draft pick in 2019 who played high school football at Carson Graham in North Vancouver but was released last year after battling a series of injuries. If he’s healthy, he can be an upgrade on the national backups the Lions dressed last year.

The Lions also re-signed CB Jordan Perryman, who played in 10 games last year as a rookie but finished the season on the practice roster.

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/12/19/lions-ext ... en-lenius/

[OV:54-40]

According to Justin Dunk, Betts will earn $260,000 in hard money in 2025 and $270,000 in 2026, making him the highest paid defensive player in the CFL.

Lol. Highest paid for now. Last year Orimolade was tops at $240K followed by Ceresna at $210K and McManis at $206.5K; all hard money. DLs Mike Rose, Willie Jefferson and Mustafa Johnson rounded out the group at $200K each. Orimolade is under contract while Ceresna and McManis are both pending FAs. McManis in particular is likely to get a significant bump in 2025 while Orimolade could be in line for one when his current deal expires after the upcoming season.

Footnote 1: 2024's 3 highest paid defensive players were Argos.
Footnote 2: Riders Anthony Lanier had been the highest paid in 2023 at $250K.

Orimolade has been a good DE for the Argos since they signed him away from the Stamps, but might be a tad over-rated by some IMO; he's a good pass rusher but hardly CFL dominant there, and maybe just ok against the run. Betts' 2023 CFL season blows anything Orimolade has done in the league out of the water (IMO). Lanier also over-rated and not near consistent enough.

I guess McManis could get a pay raise to pass Betts now - he's arguably the best all-around LB in the league. Top pass rusher / DE vs. top linebacker for top buck$ I guess. The only other position I might be tempted to give top D money to would be a dominant safety - DeQuoy was looking that way 2 years back but was not as strong last season, IMO.

[don corleone]

Busy day at the office.

[Toppy Vann]

I take it with our salary cap mess after adding Rourke's $250,000 contract mid-season (plus Betts at $150,000 too) we don't have a dime of 2024 money left to sign anyone before the end of the calendar year.

I used to subscribe to the idea some teams would have quite a bit of money left in the calendar year to do that. Now I'm more of the opinion that those who don't go over are so close to the cap that they don't have much left use for any signing bonuses for next year deals that are paid out before the end of this year. For the 2023 season 6 of 9 stayed under the SMS limit while for 2022 it was 5 of 9 who theoretically had a bit left over to use. I'd love it if the CFL published final SMS numbers for all teams whether they were over or under.

It's damn impressive what Maciocia is doing in Montreal — extending many players mid-season and before the calendar year is done. Reminds of the glory days with Wally when it seemed none of their key guys came close to reaching free agency and many extended mid-season like Clermont so a Regina homecoming was never near until he was past his prime.

Maciocia's work:
Austin Mack Aug. 27
Tyler Snead Aug. 29
Nick Callender Aug. 30
Cole Spieker Oct. 1
Tyrice Beverette Nov. 20
Davis Alexander Nov. 27
Najee Murray Dec 3
Wes Sutton Dec 4
Thomas Erlington Dec 5
Joseph Zema Dec 6
Sam Clark Dec.6
Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund Dec.10

This is why a GM who is not doing the coaching makes a lot of sense.



On another note, I saw Jalen Philpot ( a fav of mine re-signed with Calgary (which I expected would happen) until I saw this:

Twin secured: Stampeders extend Canadian receiver Jalen Philpot through 2026
By 3Down Staff -December 20, 2024

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/20/twin ... ough-2026/

]JC Abbott
@TheJCAbbott
·
6h
This is quietly a blow to the #BCLions, who had targeted a Philpot homecoming as a potential alternative if Justin McInnis left to chase the bag.

The silver lining is that the #Stampeders provided a hefty pay raise, which could affect how much recruiting VA can do. #CFL

Is this just JC's own view or does he know something?

[Hambone]

]JC Abbott
@TheJCAbbott
·
6h
This is quietly a blow to the #BCLions, who had targeted a Philpot homecoming as a potential alternative if Justin McInnis left to chase the bag.

The silver lining is that the #Stampeders provided a hefty pay raise, which could affect how much recruiting VA can do. #CFL

Is this just JC's own view or does he know something?

Probably a decent educated guess. Gotta figure reuniting with his bestie Geno Lewis is high on VA's Christmas wish list. Calgary already has Begelton on their payroll for 2025. They have several other key pending FAs to deal with too.

[don corleone]

This is quietly a blow to the #BCLions, who had targeted a Philpot homecoming as a potential alternative if Justin McInnis left to chase the bag.

The silver lining is that the #Stampeders provided a hefty pay raise, which could affect how much recruiting VA can do. #CFL

Is this just JC's own view or does he know something?

If Jalen Philpot re-signing with Calgary was a blow to the Lions good chance they are completely black and blue come next February.

It's just that time of year when good players are being extended by the teams they are with. I thought Kabion Ento might be someone of interest only to see him re-signed last week.

Other teams fans may be thinking the same about Gary Peters.

Not sure Calgary will be in on Eugene Lewis but we'll see. Good re-signing of D'ante Demery imo. It would be interesting to know what they paid given Perkins is a pending FA that I think should be brought back. Tre Odums Duke may be worth a look