ADAM MARCHES OUT
New Orleans Saints release former Leos star Bighill. Is his old CFL team in his job prospects?
Adam Bighill is looking for a job. The former star linebacker for the B.C. Lions was released by the NFL’s New Orleans Saints Monday after the team’s weekend rookie minicamp wrapped up.
Bighill was one of four players cut as the Saints look toward setting their 90-man roster for training camp.
The Washington native played for the Lions from 2011 to 2016. He was named a CFL all-star four times, a CFL West all-star five times and was named the league’s defensive player of the year in 2015, when he posted 114 tackles, four sacks and an interception.
He signed with the Saints last year and won a job after a stellar pre-season performance where he led the team in tackles. He suited up for the season opener before being waived. The Saints then signed him to the practice squad. He was activated later in the season for two more games.
In all, he played those three regular-season games as a special-teams player and made one tackle. He signed a futures contract with the Saints in January.
Bighill took to Twitter to thank his now-former employers.
“I want to thank the Saints organization for the opportunity to play for such an amazing fan base,” he said. “Was a pleasure to wear the Black and Gold! Thanks to all the WHODATS for all the love and encouragement. My journey shall continue elsewhere.”
He’ll undoubtedly look for an NFL gig, but most teams are pretty close to setting their 90-man training camp rosters. The dilemma for him will be is he willing to chase a few more NFL practice-squad bucks or come back to the CFL and a pretty solid salary.
Could the Lions find space for him under the salary cap? The Lions also already have Solomon Elimimian, Bo Lokombo and Dyshawn Davis under contract and have been looking at bringing back Micah Awe.
Awe, who like Bighill plays outside linebacker, played for the Lions in 2017, but was signed in the off-season by the New York Jets after the Lions gave him a window to check out an NFL contract. The Jets cut him loose at the end of April. (The Lions were fined for giving Awe his window, just as they were last year under similar circumstances with Bighill.)
Bighill lives in the Lower Mainland in the off-season and has strong connections in the community.