The B.C. Lions re-signed running back James Butler to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season and offensive lineman Dejon Allen to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season on Thursday.
James Butler is five foot eight and weighs 215 pounds. The 30-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, signed with the B.C. Lions on January 9, 2025. In 2025, Butler had 229 carries for 1,213 yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 46 catches for 439 yards, and one touchdown in 17 games. In the Grey Cup playoffs, Butler had 26 carries for 158 yards, including a team-high 58 yards rushing against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Western Final.
The Oakland Raiders signed Butler as an undrafted free agent on July 30, 2018. In 2018, Butler had 14 carries for 26 yards in four preseason games. The Raiders released him on September 1, 2018. Next, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 13, 2019, and was released on June 8, 2019. Butler re-signed with the Raiders on July 28, 2019.
In 2019, Butler had 48 carries for 134 yards, one touchdown, and 10 catches for 79 yards in four preseason games. He spent the 2019 season on the practice squad. The Houston Roughnecks signed Butler on January 8, 2020. In 2020, Butler had 46 carries for 221 yards, four touchdowns, 11 catches for 42 yards, one touchdown, and two tackles (2 solos) in five games before the league shutdown due to COVID-19.
The B.C. Lions signed Butler on December 9, 2020. Butler played two seasons with 311 carries for 1,557 yards, nine touchdowns, 92 catches for 627 yards, five touchdowns, and 16 kick returns for 325 yards in 28 games.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Butler on February 15, 2023. In 2023, Butler had 235 carries for 1,116 yards, seven touchdowns, 61 catches for 527 yards, and one touchdown in 17 games. In 2024, Butler had 110 carries for 522 yards, two touchdowns, 45 catches for 372 yards, and one touchdown in 10 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Ticats released him on January 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Butler played one season at Iowa in 2017 with 91 carries for 396 yards, one touchdown, and four catches for 47 yards in nine games for the Hawkeyes. Then, he transferred to Nevada (2014-16) with 583 carries for 3,124 yards, 25 touchdowns, 49 catches for 438 yards, three touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 37 games for the Wolfpack.
Dejon Allen is six foot two and weighs 300 pounds. The 31-year-old from Compton, California, was acquired via a trade from the Toronto Argonauts on January 6, 2025, for linebacker Ryder Varga and a 2026 second-round draft pick. In 2025, Allen was limited to five games due to an arm injury. B.C.’s offense averaged 29.8 points per game, 430.2 net offense per game, 113.4 rushing yards per game, 325.4 passing yards per game, 59 touchdowns, and allowed 20 sacks.
The Chicago Bears signed Allen as an undrafted free agent in 2018. In 2018, he spent the season on the practice squad. The Bears released him on May 3, 2019. Next, he signed with the Green Bay Packers on August 29, 2019. The Packers released him on September 1, 2019.
The St. Louis Battlehawks drafted Allen in the 10th round (78th pick) of the 2020 XFL Draft. The Battlehawks traded Allen to the New York Guardians on January 17, 2020. Allen played four games before the league shut down due to COVID-19.
The Toronto Argonauts signed Allen on December 20, 2020. In 2023, Allen started 16 games. Toronto’s offense ranked second in offensive average points (29.3), second in offensive touchdowns (56), second in average net offense (377.8), fourth in average rushing yards (113.7), fourth in average passing yards (272.2), and first in the least number of sacks allowed (19).
In 2024, Allen started 14 games. In 2024, Toronto’s offense averaged 26.2 points per game, 368.7 net offense per game, 121.3 rushing yards per game, 265.2 passing yards per game, and 40 sacks allowed, finishing 10-8 in the season and winning the 111th Grey Cup in two of the last three seasons.
In four seasons, Allen has played 63 games. Allen is a two-time Grey Cup champion, a two-time All-CFL Team, and a three-time CFL East All-Star.
Collegiately, Allen played four seasons at Hawaii (2014-17), playing both guard positions in 50 games for the Rainbow Warriors. In 2017, Hawaii had its best rushing average (168.2) in 22 years. He was named First Team All-Mountain West in 2017.
