Lions officially release LB Solomon Elimimian

Solomon Elimimian will be in different colours for the 2019 season following his release from the B.C. Lions.

According to sources, the Lions had been exploring trade options for Elimimian for awhile. Teams wanted to wait until closer to the 2019 CFL draft to see what it would cost the 32-year-old linebacker. Any deal would have included draft picks.

Elimimian played nine years in Vancouver and compiled an impressive resume, bursting on the scene in 2010 as the league’s Most Outstanding Rookie. He became the first strictly defensive player to win the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award in 2014, earning two Most Outstanding Defensive Player Awards and five CFL all-star nods. The Lions won the 2011 Grey Cup on home turf with Elimimian as the club’s defensive leader.

Through 118 career games, Elimimian has made 745 tackles, 36 special teams stops, 29 sacks, eight interceptions and eight forced fumbles. Last season the Calabar, Nigeria native was limited to four games due to a wrist injury.

Agent Bardia Ghahremani was given the opportunity to find a trade partner for Elimimian, but no takers came with a legitimate offer. Elimimian earned $200,000 in 2018 and was set to earn approximately the same amount in 2019. Salary proved to be a sticking point for clubs considering a trade.

Elimimian is on the open market for the first time in his career.