The BC Lions started the New Year with 3 key contract extensions on the defensive side of the ball. On New Year’s Day, the Lions announced a critical signing in a 2-year extension of defensive tackle Jonah Tavai. The following day, the Lions announced the extension of cornerback Garry Peters and DE Sione Teuhema to a 1-year extension.

All 3 players were set to become free agents on February 10 if a deal not been reached.

DT Jonah Tavai – San Diego State (5’10, 283 lbs)

Tavai completed his 2nd season with the Lions in 2025, starting in all 13 games he played in and recording 27 tackles and 5 sacks. He played in 11 games with 8 starts in 2024, recording 12 tackles and 2 sacks.

Tavai added 5 tackles and a sack in the 2 playoff games this past postseason. He was highly impactful in the pass rush in the postseason, generating pressure on 13 total plays, including the sack by my count (3 of which were a secondary form of pressure). He was also in on 2 shared run stops in both games.

“Jonah’s combination of grit, strength, and work ethic has made him one of the best defensive linemen in the CFL,” stated Lions’ General Manager Ryan Rigmaiden. “Re-signing him was a priority for us, and he’ll ensure our entire defence continues to get better.”

Defensive tackles sometimes are unsung heroes in the CFL, in large part due to only 1 tackler being recorded per play, but Tavai was a game wrecker on the interior defensive line in both run defense and pass rushing. He was snubbed from the CFL-All Star team and Divisional All-Star teams this past season, but was recognized on the CFLPA All-Star team.

Tavai played for San Diego State from 2019 to 2022, recording 77 solo tackles, 70 assisted tackles, 36 tackles for a loss, 24 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles over 48 games. He attended a rookie mini-camp with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023.

CB Garry Peters – Clemson (6’0, 200 lbs)

Peters finished his 10th CFL season in 2025 and his 8th consecutive with BC. He played for Edmonton in 2016 and 2017 before joining BC, and has started in every regular season game since, except for missing 2 games this past season to injury.

Peters recorded 49 tackles and 3 interceptions this past season over 16 games. He has 440 tackles and 19 interceptions to his name over 139 CFL games. 

“Garry has proven to be one of the best, most consistent defensive backs in the CFL,” stated GM Ryan Rigmaiden. “He’s also taken that next step and become a leader for our secondary.  As we continue to build our roster, we love knowing GP will be a BC Lion in 2026.”

Peters is 8th all-time in tackles for the Lions at 381. He was named All-CFL in 2022 and 2023.

Sione Teuhema – Southern Louisiana (6’4, 245 lbs)

Sione Teuhema wrapped up his 4th CFL season this past year, all of which were with the BC Lions. He has played in 58 regular-season games for BC, starting in all the ones he played in over the last 3 seasons. He has recorded 110 tackles and 25 sacks over his CFL career.

This past season, Teuhema was limited by an arm injury to 9 games, over which he recorded 14 tackles and 3 sacks.

“Since his rookie season of 2022, Sione has been a core player for our defence,” stated GM Rigmaiden. “In that time, he has become a complete defensive end, playing physical against the run and getting to the quarterback as a pass rusher. We’re glad to have him back and expect him to be a big part of what we’re doing up front this year.”

Teuhema played for LSU from 2014-2015, recording 20 tackles and 4 tackles for a loss over 16 games. He played for Southeastern Louisiana from 2016-17, recording 109 tackles and 13 sacks over 19 games. He was named All-Southland Conference Second-Team in 2016.

Teuhema attended mini-camps with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets in 2018 before spending 2019 with the Carolina Panthers practice squad. He played for the Frisco Fighters in the IFL with his brother, OL Maea Teuhema.