When Sean Whyte signed with the BC Lions for the 2022 season, the CFL veteran had finally made it back home. The Leos first acquired Whyte in 2007 as a territorial exemption. He was coming off a stellar career in Surrey with the what are known now as the Langley Rams in the CJFL. Paul McCallum was 37 at the time and had just come off of a Grey Cup title season in 2006.

A former Ram himself, McCallum was the perfect professional example for the now 37-year old Whyte to learn from. The Montreal Alouettes would trade for Whyte at the 2011 CFL Draft after BC selected punter Hugh O’Neill. In Montreal Whyte would establish himself as one of the most reliable kickers in the league but was released midway through 2015 with the Als trusting the strong leg of rookie Boris Bede. A blessing in disguise for Whyte as he would get signed by Edmonton and become an instrumental part of their Grey Cup championship in 2015.

After 6 productive seasons in Northern Alberta, the Lions brought him home in 2022. It is great to see the most accurate kicker for the 2022 CFL season agree to a couple more seasons. Two other local kicking greats Lui Passaglia and McCallum both won Grey Cups in their late 30’s and then again in their 40’s with their hometown team, Lion fans can only hope Whyte can replicate that success.

Announcing the coaching staff yesterday and re-signing Whyte today is great for consistency. Like the title said there is more to come. The free agency list may not be as long as past seasons, there are still three major position groups that need to be filled, the offensive line, the backfield and the secondary.

With the uncertainty of Nathan Rourke‘s NFL aspirations and Vernon Adams Jr under contract for 2023, the quarterback position will be one to look out for as well. Here is a list of the remaining free agents…..

Offence

QB Michael O’Connor QB Antonio Pipkin

RB James Butler FB David Mackie FB Mario Villamizer

Rec Jacob Scarfone Rec Shai Ross Rec TJ Rahming*

OL Tristen Taylor* OL Sukh Chungh OL Peter Godber OL Joel Figueroa OL David Knevel OL Andrew Peirson OL Jared Broxton

Defence

DL Josh Banks DL Obum Gwachum DL David Menard

LB Bo Lokombo DB TJ Lee DB Isaiah Guzlyk-Messam

DB Garry Peters DB Hakeem Johnson

Special Teams

LS Tanner Doll

*indicates practice roster

DB Delvin Breaux announced his retirement after the season

QB Nathan Rourke has indicated that he will be doing workouts for NFL teams. The window for CFL players under contract to sign in the NFL is between the day after the Grey Cup and January 9, 2023.

WR Bryan Burnham announced his retirement, putting an end to a legendary career with BC