The Saskatchewan Roughriders have given Canadian receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker a contract extension that escalates throughout its term.
The 25-year-old had a breakout 2022 season with the Riders, catching 68 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns. He underwent hip surgery to repair a labral tear in March and inked his fresh deal in April. The six-foot-four, 195-pound target will miss the start of the upcoming season, but Saskatchewan still gave him a raise to reach six figures regardless of how many games he plays.
His compensation in 2023 includes a $76,500 base salary, $13,500 in housing, a $5,000 signing bonus, a $2,500 travel allowance, and $2,500 in marketing money, which totals $100,000 in hard money.
In 2024, his contract includes a $91,500 base salary, a $50,000 active roster bonus on February 1, $13,500 in housing, a $2,500 travel allowance, and $7,500 in marketing money. He will earn $165,000 in hard money plus the ability to earn additional money in active roster and performance incentives.
He will collect $15,000 if he makes the active roster for 16 games and $450 each time he plays a minimum of one play in a regular season game. He will also earn $1,000 if he leads the Riders in receiving yards, $2,000 if he leads the West Division in receiving yards, and $3,000 if he leads the CFL in receiving yards. Finally, he will make $1,000 if he is named a West Division all-star, $2,000 for a CFL all-star, and $3,000 for being named the league’s Most Outstanding Player. This brings his incentives to a maximum value of $35,100.
In 2025, Schaffer-Baker’s deal includes a $106,500 base salary, a $60,000 active roster bonus on February 1, $13,500 in housing, a $2,500 travel allowance, and $7,500 in marketing money. This equals $190,000 in hard money plus the ability to earn an additional $20,100 in active roster and performance incentives.
The incentives include $450 each time he plays a minimum of one play in a regular season game, $1,000 to leads the Roughriders in receiving yards, $2,000 for leading the West Division in receiving yards, and $3,000 for leading the CFL in receiving yards. He can also collect $1,000 for being named a West Division all-star, $2,000 for being named a CFL all-star, and $3,000 for being named the league’s Most Outstanding Player.
It’s important to note that Schaffer-Baker, who had workouts with nine NFL teams this past off-season, can still sign south of the border due to the NFL window as per the league’s collective bargaining agreement. The window starts following the CFL season and closes when CFL free agency gets underway.
The Mississauga, Ont. native was selected by the Riders in the fourth round, 30th overall during the 2020 CFL Draft and played 12 games in his first season. The University of Guelph product made 45 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns, earning the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie nomination in 2021.
Schaffer-Baker flashed his potential early in his pro career and he’s got No. 1 receiver upside and the Roughriders have paid him accordingly.
