Saskatchewan Roughriders make Samuel Emilus highest-paid Canadian receiver in CFL

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The Roughriders made Samuel Emilus the CFL’s highest-paid Canadian receiver to keep him in Saskatchewan for two more seasons.

Per three-down league sources, the 112th Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian signed a two-year contract worth $285,000 in hard money for 2026. He’s set to earn $290,000 in hard money in 2027, which includes a $100,000 base salary guarantee.

It’s believed Emilus’ new contract makes him the highest-paid national pass catcher in the CFL’s salary cap era and possibly in league history. His agreement was negotiated by Ottawa-based agent Rob Fry.

Emilus was selected in the first round, seventh overall during the 2022 CFL Draft. After registering 10 catches for 165 yards in his rookie year, the Montreal native posted 70 receptions for 1,097 yards with eight touchdowns in 2023. He followed that up with 87 grabs for 1,064 yards and five majors in 2024, earning West Division all-star honours.

During the 2025 regular season, the 28-year-old was limited to seven games due to foot and knee injuries, notching 37 receptions for 588 yards with two touchdowns. That works out to 84 receiving yards per game and extrapolates to 1,512 over an 18-game regular schedule.

Emilus finished on a high in the CFL playoffs. He made nine catches for 100 yards in a 24-21 West Final win over the B.C. Lions and recorded 10 receptions for 108 yards in the 112th Grey Cup victory against the Montreal Alouettes, earning MVC honours. In two postseason games, No. 19 totalled 19 catches for 208 yards.

The six-foot, 200-pound pass catcher has developed into one of the premier receivers in the CFL. Saskatchewan offensive coordinator Marc Mueller called him “the best player in the league” after the Green and White hoisted the Grey Cup and the confetti had fallen at Princess Auto Stadium.

Through 57 career CFL regular season games, all with the Roughriders, Emilus has registered 204 receptions for 2,914 yards, including 999 after the catch, 13 touchdowns with a 14.3 per catch average. He’s played in four playoff games, recording 32 catches for 372 yards with one touchdown.

Emilus earned $168,200 through the 2025 regular season and $23,000 in postseason bonus money. He gets a shot at going back-to-back with the Riders in 2026 and potentially play in Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in 2027 as Saskatchewan hosts the CFL championship game.