The BC Lions have had quite the off-season. When it all began, there were 25 players that were set to become free agents. Two of those players, Bryan Burnham and Delvin Breaux decided to call it an end to their playing careers. Quarterback Nathan Rourke opted out of his contract to join the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Overall the team has done well in re-signing pending free agents. The latest being the extension of Offensive Lineman David Knevel and Defensive Lineman Josh Banks.
Knevel, 28, is a beast of a man standing at 6’8 and weighing 325 pounds. In college as a member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers he got great experience playing against skilled defences in the BIG 10 conference. He missed the entire 2022 campaign after having shoulder surgery. A Canadian lineman that can play both the tackle and guard positions is a huge asset in the CFL. Knevel first started his professional career with the Lions in 2018. He is feeling healthy and is determined to reward the team’s patience with his best season yet.
Banks, 28, is a key run stopper in the interior of the Lions defensive line. At 6’4, 290 pounds the man who is also known as “The Night Train”, provides a steady presence on BC’s run defence. After a solid college career at Wake Forest from 2013 to 2016, Banks would be signed by the New York Giants. He would spend two seasons with the G-Men before signing with the Orlando Apollos of the now defunct Alliance of American Football. In 2020 the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL drafted Banks and he would play there until the league shut down. This will be his third season in BC which is the most consistency a team has provided him in his professional career. This could be a breakout year for the young man that is in his fourth different professional football league.
CFL teams can start negotiating with free agents across the league starting this Sunday. Offers can be made but the team with their rights can match any offer until February 14th at noon. Once that date and time has come any player not signed will become free agents with teams no longer holding their exclusive negotiating rights. Below are the BC Lions that are set to become free agents.
