The B.C. Lions have made a strategic move by signing Canadian receiver Justin McInnis to a two-year contract extension through the 2026 season. This development ensures the team retains a key player who was a pending free agent.
A Season of Records and Recognition
The 28-year-old McInnis became the first Canadian since Andy Fantuz in 2010 to lead the CFL in receiving yards. He achieved this feat with an impressive 92 receptions for 1,469 yards and seven touchdowns. McInnis was also honored with an All-CFL selection and earned nominations for both the team’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian awards.
Top Performances in CFL History
McInnis’ yardage total of 1,469 was the second-highest ever recorded in a single season by a B.C. Lions Canadian receiver. This statistic places him behind only Matt Clark’s 1,530 yards from 1991. McInnis’ performance ranked as the eighth-best by a Canadian in CFL history, surpassing notable players such as Andy Fantuz, Brad Sinopoli, Jeff Fairholm, and Ray Elgaard.
Journey from Roughriders to Lions
Originally from Pierrefonds, Quebec, McInnis joined the B.C. Lions as a free agent in 2023. In that season, he compiled 46 receptions for 690 yards and five touchdowns across 18 regular-season games. Prior to his time with the Lions, McInnis played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2019 to 2021, racking up 48 receptions for 596 yards and two touchdowns in 33 games. He was selected in the first round, sixth overall, in the 2019 CFL Draft.
College Career Highlights
Before his professional career, McInnis transferred from Dodge City Community College to Arkansas State University from 2016 to 2018. During his college tenure, he demonstrated exceptional talent by amassing 115 receptions for 1,577 yards and 10 touchdowns in 38 games with the Arkansas State Red Wolves.
Career Statistics
Over his career, McInnis has participated in 57 CFL games, amassing 186 receptions for 2,755 yards and 14 touchdowns. His stats also include 706 yards after run for a 14.8 yards per catch average. His exceptional performance and potential continue to make him a valuable asset to the B.C. Lions.
“Justin has evolved into an elite game-breaker in this league and we feel his ceiling can be even higher as we integrate our players into Buck Pierce’s offense,” general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said in a statement.
What Lies Ahead
With the new contract extension, McInnis now has the security to focus on developing his skills further within Buck Pierce’s offense. The B.C. Lions aim to build on McInnis’ remarkable contributions, expecting him to continue pushing boundaries and raising expectations.
The future of the B.C. Lions looks promising with McInnis’ continued presence. His leadership, combined with his athletic capabilities, will surely drive the team towards greater achievements.
Your Thoughts Matter
We would love to hear your thoughts on this exciting development. What do you think about Justin McInnis’ extension and its potential impact on the B.C. Lions? Feel free to leave your comments below!
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