The CFL is a passing league, which means each team needs big-play receivers to help move the football. Below we’ve listed the league’s 15 highest-paid targets for the 2024 season.
Over the next week, 3DownNation will be unveiling the CFL’s highest-paid players from each position group. We’ve already covered quarterbacks, running backs, and fullbacks, so don’t forget to check back on Friday for the offensive linemen.
“Hard money” is a CFL term that refers to any portion of a contract that is paid even if a player is hurt. This includes base salary, signing bonuses, roster bonuses, housing allowances, travel allowances, and training allowances. Marketing money, which is officially called “non-football-related services,” isn’t always guaranteed, though we’ve decided to include it in hard money for this series.
Any additional components — often referred to as “playtime” or “performance incentives” — are outlined in part or in full in the paragraph accompanying each player. These bonuses are often tied to how much a player sees the field, produces yardage, scores a touchdown, makes tackles, or whether or not they’re named an all-star.
“N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians) and “A” denotes American players.
1) Eugene Lewis, Edmonton Elks (A)
Hard money: $320,000
Maximum value: $320,000
The league’s highest-paid non-quarterback collected a $75,000 roster bonus on Jan. 15 and a $50,000 roster bonus on April 15. He will also receive $20,000 when he reports to training camp and passes his physical, $15,000 in non-football-related services to the team, $13,800 in housing money, and a $6,000 travel allowance.
2) Kenny Lawler, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
Hard money: $285,000
Maximum value: $285,000
The two-time West Division all-star renegotiated his contract early this off-season to lower his cap hit from $310,000 to $285,000, collecting a $150,000 signing bonus in the process. He will also earn a $115,000 base salary, $13,800 in housing money, and $7,200 in travel money this season in Bomberland.
3) Dalton Schoen, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
Hard money: $230,000
Maximum value: $230,000
The two-time CFL all-star received a $105,000 signing bonus to remain in Winnipeg this season after garnering a lot of attention from around the league in free agency. Schoen will also make $76,200 in salary, $35,000 in non-football-related services to the team, and $13,800 in housing money.
4) Nic Demski, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)
Hard money: $225,000
Maximum value: $225,000
The 30-year-old was named a West Division all-star for the third consecutive year in 2023 after eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. He received a $65,000 roster bonus on Jan. 1, $30,000 of which he forwent last season to help his hometown team against the salary cap. The rest of his earnings will be paid as a $140,000 salary and $20,000 in non-football-related services.
5) Alexander Hollins, B.C. Lions (A)
Hard money: $223,800
Maximum value: $234,800
The 27-year-old was named a West Division all-star after recording his first 1,000-yard season in 2023 and cashed in accordingly on a two-year extension, which included a $70,000 signing bonus. Hollins will make an extra $1,000 if he’s named a divisional all-star, $2,000 if he’s named a league all-star, and $5,000 if he eclipses 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight year.
6) Tim White, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
Hard money: $210,000
Maximum value: $235,300
The two-time CFL all-star earned an $85,000 signing bonus to stick with the Tabbies in free agency and will also make $12,000 in non-football-related services to the team. White will also collect $13,800 in housing money, $6,000 in travel money, $600 each time he plays more than half of Hamilton’s offensive snaps in a game, and $2,000 if he leads the league in receiving yards.
7) Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Edmonton Elks (N)
Hard money: $210,000
Maximum value: $210,000
The two-time East Division all-star was traded to the Elks in January in exchange for Jake Ceresna after finishing the first year of a three-year extension he signed last off-season. He earned a $55,000 off-season roster bonus on Feb. 1 and will also earn $134,200 in salary, $13,800 in housing money, $5,000 in non-football-related services, and a $2,000 training allowance this season.
8) Dominique Rhymes, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
Hard money: $194,000
Maximum value: $201,000
The 30-year-old signed back in the nation’s capital after being released by the B.C. Lions in a cap-saving move early this off-season. The former CFL all-star collected a $50,000 signing bonus to join the Redblacks with all-star incentives carrying the deal to a maximum value of just over $200,000.
9) Jevon Cottoy, B.C. Lions (N)
Hard money: $193,800
Maximum value: $198,800
The six-foot-five, 230-pound target set all-new career-highs this past season and cashed in with a three-year deal that included a $30,000 signing bonus. Cottoy will also collect $30,000 the first time he makes B.C.’s active roster this season as well as $10,000 in non-football-related services to the team.
10) Jaelon Acklin, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
Hard money: $190,000
Maximum value: $190,000
The native of Mountain View, Mo. recently renegotiated his deal with the Redblacks and collected an $85,000 signing bonus to do so. He will look to bounce back this year after seeing his production dip in 2023, which was at least partially attributable to the club’s challenges at quarterback.
11) Reggie Begelton, Calgary Stampeders (A)
Hard money: $184,000
Maximum value: $187,000
The two-time CFL all-star got a $63,000 signing bonus to remain in Calgary through 2025 as part of a two-year extension he signed earlier this off-season. Begelton will also make $13,800 in housing money, $10,000 in non-football-related services to the team, $4,000 in training money, and $3,000 in travel money.
12) Dejon Brissett, Toronto Argonauts (N)
Hard money: $175,000
Maximum value: $175,000
The former second-overall pick set all-new career-highs in 2023 and cashed in with a two-year contract extension that included a $45,000 signing bonus. He will also earn $20,000 in non-football-related services to the club, $15,000 for reporting to training camp and passing his physical, and $13,800 in housing money.
13) DaVaris Daniels, Toronto Argonauts (A)
Hard money: $172,000
Maximum value: $172,000
The seven-year veteran finally notched his first 1,000-yard season this past year to lead the Argonauts in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He received a $50,000 signing bonus to stay in double blue and will also earn $101,200 in salary, $13,800 in housing money, $5,000 in non-football-related services, and a $2,000 training allowance.
14) Shawn Bane, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
Hard money: $165,500
Maximum value: $182,000
The five-foot-nine, 178-pound speedster had a breakout season in 2023 and cashed in on a two-year extension that included a $40,000 signing bonus. Bane will also earn $10,000 in non-football-related services to the team, $1,500 if he dresses for nine games, another $1,500 if he dresses for 12 games, and another $1,500 if he dresses for 15 games.
T-15) Kian Schaffer-Baker, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)
Hard money: $165,000
Maximum value: $200,100
The 25-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont. had a slow start last season after coming off hip surgery but has already made good money in 2024, earning a $50,000 off-season roster bonus on Feb. 1. The big-bodied target will also collect $7,500 in non-football-related services to the team, $450 each time he dresses for a regular season game, and $15,000 if he’s active for 16 or more games.
T-15) Kaion Julien-Grant, Montreal Alouettes (N)
Hard money: $165,000
Maximum value: $171,000
The former second-round pick collected a $40,000 roster bonus on Feb. 1 and will also earn $13,800 in housing money, $10,000 in non-football-related services to the team, and up to $6,000 in all-star incentives. Julien-Grant will also earn $101,200 in salary, 50 percent of which is guaranteed.
