VANCOUVER — In a move designed to fortify their depth chart and inject championship-caliber experience into their locker room as the autumn stretch of the Canadian Football League season intensifies, the B.C. Lions announced the signing of four American players to their practice roster. The transactions, confirmed by the club on Monday, September 21, 2026, are highlighted by the acquisition of former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun and his younger brother, defensive back Jordan Oladokun.
In addition to the sibling duo, the Lions have added defensive back Thomas Graham and defensive lineman T.J. Burke to the practice squad. To make room for these additions, the West Division club has released quarterback Chase Brice.
The arrival of Chris Oladokun in Vancouver represents a significant coup for the Lions’ scouting department. The 29-year-old native of Tampa, Florida, brings an enviable professional pedigree to the Canadian game, having spent the last four seasons in the National Football League with one of its most dominant modern franchises. From 2022 through 2025, Oladokun served as a backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, developing his skills under the tutelage of future Hall of Fame head coach Andy Reid and working daily alongside three-time NFL Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes.
During his tenure in Kansas City, Oladokun was part of a highly successful era, earning two Super Bowl rings as a member of the championship-winning squads in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. While his regular-season opportunities were limited due to Mahomes’ durable presence at the helm of the Chiefs’ offense, Oladokun proved to be a highly efficient and capable distributor when called upon in preseason and reserve action. He concluded his time in Kansas City having completed 35 of his 55 pass attempts for 235 yards, throwing one touchdown pass and registering zero interceptions. His ability to protect the football and operate a complex, high-powered offense is expected to be a major asset as he begins his transition to the unique demands of Canadian football.
Adjusting to the CFL is a notorious challenge for American quarterbacks, who must quickly adapt to a wider and longer field, a pre-snap motion ruleset that allows multiple receivers to be in full stride before the ball is snapped, and the relentless pressure of the three-down system. By placing Oladokun on the practice roster, the Lions are providing the veteran signal-caller with a crucial window to absorb the playbook, build chemistry with the receiving corps, and master the nuances of the Canadian game without the immediate pressure of live-game execution.
The signing of Chris Oladokun is made even more compelling by the simultaneous arrival of his younger brother, Jordan Oladokun. The 24-year-old defensive back joins the Lions looking to kickstart his own professional career after a promising start in the NFL was derailed by injury. A product of both Stanford University and Bowling Green State University, the younger Oladokun displayed the versatility and coverage skills necessary to attract NFL attention. Following his collegiate career, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025. He put together a strong showing during the early stages of the Chargers’ training camp before an unfortunate injury late in camp forced the team to place him on injured reserve, halting his momentum.
Now fully healthy and eager to prove himself north of the border, Jordan Oladokun joins a B.C. secondary that is always looking for dynamic, athletic defenders capable of covering the vast spaces of a CFL field. The opportunity for the Oladokun brothers to share a professional locker room adds a rare and heartwarming family dynamic to the Lions’ roster as they push toward the postseason.
While the Oladokun brothers command much of the spotlight, the Lions’ other Monday transactions reflect a strategic effort to bolster the defensive side of the ball. The addition of defensive back Thomas Graham provides the secondary with another experienced coverage option. In the CFL, where offenses routinely employ five-receiver sets and rely heavily on the vertical passing game, depth in the defensive backfield is a critical commodity. Graham’s arrival gives the coaching staff valuable insurance and competition on the practice roster.
Simultaneously, the signing of defensive lineman T.J. Burke addresses the physical demands of the trenches. As the weather cools and the running game becomes more prominent late in the season, having a rotation of fresh, physical defensive linemen is essential to stopping the run and maintaining a consistent pass rush. Burke’s presence on the practice roster gives the Lions an extra layer of protection against the inevitable injuries that accumulate over an eighteen-game schedule.
To accommodate the influx of new talent, the Lions had to make a difficult decision at the quarterback position, releasing Chase Brice. Brice, who had been working to establish himself within the Lions’ system, becomes a casualty of the professional numbers game. The departure of Brice underscores the high-stakes nature of the professional ranks, where roster spots are constantly evaluated, and the opportunity to secure a quarterback with NFL championship experience like Chris Oladokun ultimately forced the front office’s hand.
The timing of these roster movements is particularly noteworthy. Late September represents a critical juncture in the CFL calendar. With the Labour Day classics in the rearview mirror, teams are locked in fierce divisional battles for playoff positioning. The practice roster serves as a vital pipeline for franchises during this stretch, allowing coaching staffs to evaluate international talent under live practice conditions, identify players who can contribute immediately in the event of an injury, and begin laying the groundwork for the following season’s roster.
By securing the services of a quarterback who has spent years preparing in an elite NFL environment, alongside a motivated young defensive back looking to reclaim his professional trajectory, the B.C. Lions have significantly upgraded the quality of their scout team and overall roster depth. How quickly the new additions can familiarize themselves with the Canadian rulebook and the Lions’ schemes will determine how soon they might see active roster duty, but for now, the club has successfully injected a fresh wave of talent and championship experience into their facility.