The CFL club released veteran safety Orlondo Steinauer two days after trading quarterback Michael Bishop to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for a conditional draft pick.

Steinauer, 35, was a three-time CFL all-star and in his eighth season with Toronto. Last year, the defence was the league’s best but the Argos (3-5) have struggled on both sides of the ball in 2008.

But it’s unlikely Steinauer was released just because of his age. CFL players with six years of experience or more have their deals guaranteed for the remainder of the year after the ninth game of the year.

Toronto plays its ninth game on Labour Day when it visits Hamilton.

The Argos acquired Steinauer, running back Eric Lapointe and a 2001 first-round draft pick from Hamilton for linebacker Mike O’Shea on June 11, 2000. Steinauer appeared in 127 career regular-season games and 13 playoff contests with Toronto and was a member of the team’s ‘04 Grey Cup championship squad.

Steinauer was a five-time East Division all-star.

“Sometimes in football, you are faced with having to make difficult decisions involving good people,” Argos GM Adam Rita said in a statement. “Today is one of those times.

“We believe this move will help us improve our secondary and ultimately win games. We have some young talent on our roster and we are looking forward to seeing them on the field.”

The Argos also added import defensive back Pete Hunter on its practice roster.