Photo courtesy: Steven Chang/B.C. Lions
The B.C. Lions have released Canadian offensive lineman Tyler Packer and defensive lineman Anthony Bennett, as per the league’s transactions wire.
Packer was originally a sixth-round pick in the 2021 CFL Draft out of the University of Calgary. He returned to school for his final season of collegiate eligibility that same year before signing back with the Lions in 2022.
The 26-year-old played 19 regular-season games over four seasons with B.C., primarily in a depth role. He made three starts at right guard in 2025 before being moved to the six-game injured list.
The native of Calgary, Alta. won the Vanier Cup with the Dinos in 2019.
Bennett played four regular-season games with the Lions in 2025, recording one special teams tackle. He finished the year on the team’s practice roster but re-signed in late November.
The six-foot-one, 235-pound defender played two regular-season games with the Ottawa Redblacks earlier in 2025 and made two special teams tackles, though he was cut by the team in July.
Bennett was originally a first-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft and played 18 regular-season games during his rookie year with Winnipeg, making eight defensive tackles and three special teams tackles. He was cut by the team in 2024 and had a subsequent offseason stint with the Montreal Alouettes.
The 29-year-old was named a first-team U Sports All-Canadian with the University of Regina Rams in 2022 after recording 38 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.
The B.C. Lions signed defensive lineman Casey Sayles and linebacker Darnell Sankey after they were released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes, respectively, though the team was relatively inactive in free agency. The team’s major departure was All-CFL offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, who signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Lions hold the seventh overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. B.C. will play its first preseason game against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, May 23 and its first regular-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, June 13.
In 2025, B.C. finished second in the West Division standings with an 11-7 record. They beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final but lost the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Franchise quarterback Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions to be named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.
