Pound for pound, defensive backs are the most under-compensated players in the CFL. So if your team has a ballhawk who’s making bank, you know they are employing a difference maker.
Over the last week, 3DownNation has unveiled the CFL’s highest-paid players from each position group. We’ve already covered quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks, receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and linebackers. Don’t forget to check back on Tuesday for the specialists.
“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) Adarius Pickett, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
Hard money: $165,000
Maximum value: $171,000
The top strongside linebacker in the league cashed in when he flipped from Toronto to Ottawa this offseason, collecting a $50,000 signing bonus to go with $94,200 in salary. The 27-year-old will also earn $13,800 in housing, $5,000 in marketing money, and a $2,000 travel allowance, as well as the standard incentive package of $1,000 for a divisional all-star selection, $2,000 for a CFL all-star selection, and $3,000 for winning a major league award.
2) Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Montreal Alouettes (N)
Hard money: $153,000
Maximum value: $159,000
If buttoning down the backend for a Grey Cup run in his home province, Dequoy also tops the financial charts amongst safeties with a $108,000 salary and a $30,000 offseason bonus which went through on January 15. The 29-year-old can also earn up to $15,000 for non-football-related services, as well as standard all-star and awards incentives that top out at a combined $6,000.
3) Jamal Peters, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
Hard money: $141,000
Maximum value: $155,500
Peters heads down the QEW to take his place as the league’s highest-paid cornerback, receiving a $40,000 signing bonus and $76,700 in salary. The 27-year-old is entitled to $13,800 in housing, $7,500 in promotional money, and a $3,000 training allowance. He’ll also take home $9,000 after playing his first game, as well as $1,000 for his first divisional all-star selection, $1,500 for a CFL all-star nod, and $3,000 for a major award.
4) Deatrick Nichols, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
Hard money: $140,000
Maximum value: $154,000
The CFL’s most feared halfback collected a $50,000 signing bonus to re-up with Winnipeg, as well as $74,000 in salary, $13,800 for housing, and a $2,200 travel allowance. The 29-year-old will also earn $1,000 for either form of all-star selection and $2,000 for a divisional or league award, with the ability to cash in up to three times at each level.
5) Royce Metchie, Toronto Argonauts (N)
Hard money: $140,000
Maximum value: $140,000
It may not be quite what his brother earns from the Houston Texans but the elder Metchie still makes good money with a $81,200 salary and a $25,000 bonus which came the day after signing his new deal. The 27-year-old safety is supposed to receive $15,000 for non-football-related services, $13,800 for housing, and $5,000 for travel.
6) Stavros Katsantonis, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)
Hard money: $135,500
Maximum value: $143,000
The Bakersfield Bandit’s greatest heist yet may be his new contract, which included a $36,000 signing bonus and a $75,200 salary. The 27-year-old safety’s first deal as a full-time starter also features $13,800 for housing, $7,500 in marketing money, and a $3,000 travel allowance. He’ll also earn $250 for every game on the active roster and bumps of $1,500 when he reaches two forced fumbles and four interceptions on the year.
7) Garry Peters, B.C. Lions (A)
Hard money: $135,000
Maximum value: $143,000
The Lions locked up their back-to-back all-star at cornerback with a $40,000 signing bonus and a $76,200 base salary. The 32-year-old is set to receive $13,800 in housing, $3,000 in marketing money, and a $2,000 travel allowance, plus $5,000 for a third CFL all-star selection and $3,000 for being named Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
8) DaShaun Amos, Toronto Argonauts (A)
Hard money: $135,000
Maximum value: $135,000
Amos hasn’t been an all-star at halfback since 2019 but still commands elite dollars with a $99,200 salary and $15,000 offseason bonus that cashed on January 1. The 29-year-old will also take home $13,800 for housing, $5,000 for non-football-related services, and $2,000 for travel.
9) Wesley Sutton, Montreal Alouettes (A)
Hard money: $130,000
Maximum value: $137,000
After consecutive East Division all-star nods at halfback, Sutton will take home $114,200 in salary next year, of which $30,000 is fully guaranteed. The 28-year-old will also get $13,800 for housing and $2,000 in marketing money, with $1,500 for a divisional all-star selection or award nomination and $2,000 for the corresponding honours at the league level.
10) Demerio Houston, Calgary Stampeders (A)
Hard money: $128,800
Maximum value: $136,800
The CFL’s leader in interceptions last season collected a $40,000 signing bonus to join the Stampeders and will receive $70,000 in salary next year. The 27-year-old cornerback will receive $13,800 for housing and $5,000 for promotional appearances, along with incentives of $1,000 for divisional all-star honours or a team award and $2,000 for the league equivalents. He’ll also get $2,000 if he repeats as the interception king.
11) Marcus Sayles, B.C. Lions (A)
Hard money: $127,800
Maximum value: $143,800
While some speculated that the two-time all-star halfback took a step back in 2023, the Lions showed they still value Sayles highly with a $94,000 salary and a $10,000 offseason bonus. The 29-year-old will get $13,800 for housing and $10,000 for non-football-related services, along with $10,000 after his first game and up to $6,000 in standard all-star and awards incentives.
12) Loucheiz Purifoy, Edmonton Elks (A)
Hard money: $125,000
Maximum value: $139,000
You can never be sure where Purifoy is going to suit up in a given season, having played strongside linebacker, safety, halfback and corner at various points in his career, but versatility is part of what makes him worth his $85,200 salary. The 31-year-old received a $25,000 signing bonus to stay in Edmonton, while getting $13,800 for housing and $6,000 in marketing money. He’ll also get $500 for every game he plays over 51 percent of defensive snaps, $2,000 for a CFL all-star selection, and $3,000 for a major award win.
13) Redha Kramdi, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)
Hard money: $125,000
Maximum value: $139,000
A rare Canadian starter at strongside linebacker, Kramdi’s unicorn status is reflected in his $86,200 salary and $25,000 signing bonus. The 27-year-old is also entitled to $13,800 for housing, as well as $1,000 for either form of all-star selection and $2,000 for a divisional or league award, with the ability to cash in up to three times at each level.
14) Rolan Milligan, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
Hard money: $122,500
Maximum value: $135,500
Milligan was limited to just four games last season due to injury, but the Riders still gave him a $25,000 signing bonus and $80,000 salary to stick around. The 29-year-old halfback will get $13,500 for housing, $2,000 for travel, and $2,000 in marketing money, plus $5,000 after his first game. He also has up to $6,000 in standard all-star and award incentives, as well $1,000 for leading Saskatchewan in interceptions or special teams tackles.
15) Brandin Dandridge, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
Hard money: $122,000
Maximum value: $122,000
Dandridge was an East Division all-star in 2023 after doing it all for Redblacks and was rewarded with a lucrative new contract that is all hard money. The 27-year-old cornerback intercepted five passes and took two back for touchdowns, while also housing a punt return.
