Details: Riders’ Cody Fajardo’s contract extension numbers

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com
Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Quarterback Cody Fajardo earned a significant salary increase — potentially three times the 2019 amount — by signing a two-year contract extension with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The new deal layout for 2020 includes a base salary of $225,000; active roster bonus on February 1, 2020 for $175,000; $18,000 playtime incentives ($1,000 per game for playing 51 percent or more of the offensive snaps); $12,000 housing ($2,000 per month June to November); $2,000 West Division all-star; $3,000 CFL all-star and $5,000 league Most Outstanding Player.

2021: $250,000 base salary; active roster bonus on February 1, 2020 for $180,000; $12,000 housing ($2,000 per month June to November); $2,000 travel allowance; $2,000 West Division all-star; $3,000 CFL all-star and $5,000 league Most Outstanding Player

For the first year of the new pact, Fajardo’s hard money total is $412,000. That bumps to $444,000 in year two. More money could be put in the 27-year-old’s pocket if the Riders convert the active roster bonuses to signing bonuses in the new year.

It’s a substantial raise on what Fajardo was making in 2019. His one-year deal was a bargain, paying him $86,800 in hard money. Should Fajardo make every possible dollar on his contract until the end of the current season, it would be around $150,000 for a starting quarterback.

For comparison, Mike Reilly is the highest paid QB and player in the league at $700,000, Bo Levi Mitchell is second at $675,000, Trevor Harris third at $525,000, Matt Nichols made $455,000 while Jeremiah Masoli had $335,000 in hard money due for 2019 prior to his season-ending ACL injury and James Franklin checked in with $346,000.

Entering the 2019 season Fajardo had never started a professional football game. He was a backup and short yardage specialist with the Toronto Argos and B.C Lions to begin his CFL career. General manager Jeremy O’Day and head coach Craig Dickenson saw the potential in Fajardo.

As Saskatchewan’s starter, Fajardo has led the Riders to an 11-5 record. He’s thrown for 3,873 yards while completing over 71 per cent of his passes with 16 touchdowns against eight interceptions. The dual-threat QB has used his legs for 610 yards and 10 touchdowns on 106 rushing attempts, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

Fajardo produced and the Riders rewarded.

Justin Dunk
Justin Dunk is a football insider, sports reporter and anchor.