Photo courtesy: Steven Chang/B.C. Lions
The B.C. Lions are making progress in their quest to retain pending free agent left tackle Jarell Broxton.
“We’ve had good conversations with he and his camp. We’re going through it right now,” general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said from the CFL Winter Meetings in Calgary. “At this stage, I think players and agents have their expected value, and then obviously, we’ve got to make this fit with the salary cap puzzle. I think he’s the best left tackle in the league. Tremendous player, tremendous for our room. We feel like things are positive, feel like it can get done.”
Broxton has been with the Lions since 2021 and became a fixture on the offensive line beginning in 2023. The 32-year-old had a career year in 2025, appearing in 16 games and surrendering just 15 total pressures, according to analytics firm Pro Football Focus. That amounted to the lowest pressure rate allowed (2.4 percent) by any tackle in the CFL, and helped him earn All-CFL honours for the first time.
The native of Olney, Md., will likely be seeking a raise commensurate with his status as an elite blindside protector, but B.C. has shown a willingness to spend in order to retain marquee talents. They also made upgrading the offensive line a priority last offseason, acquiring two-time All-CFL right tackle Dejon Allen via trade from the Toronto Argonauts, though that move did not pan out as hoped.
Allen was limited to just five games in his first season in Vancouver due to a torn bicep suffered in Week 3. While he briefly returned to the field late in the year, the former CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman struggled to push through the injury and was not active for the playoffs.
While it would appear the Lions are also interested in bringing Allen back before he hits free agency on February 10, Rigmaiden made clear that it would not occur without a thorough in-person vetting by team doctors.
“The biggest thing with Dejon is he missed a bunch of time with injuries, and so we’ve got to make sure that he’s okay,” he said. “We’ve got to have our doctors check him out and make sure that he’s 100 percent before we commit to anything. Obviously, he’s played at a high level before, and if he’s healthy, then we certainly want him back.”
The Lions already have contingencies in place along the offensive line, re-signing swing tackle Chris Schleuger earlier this month. The 30-year-old started 14 games last season, as well as both playoff contests, and can slot in on either side or at guard.
With a Most Outstanding Player to protect, the team won’t be afraid to stack talent in the trenches.
“You guys know me, I like building things up through the offensive and defensive lines. I don’t think that’s ever going to change for me,” Rigmaiden said. “Protecting Nathan [Rourke] and being able to run the ball, that’s something that we have to do to find success.”