Calgary Stampeders signed CFL all-star Jaylon Hutchings to lucrative contract

Photo courtesy: Calgary Stampeders

The Calgary Stampeders signed CFL all-star defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings to a lucrative three-year contract following his offseason release from the Minnesota Vikings, though he’s not the highest-paid at his position in the three-down league.

Per sources, the 26-year-old received a $50,000 signing bonus for inking his new deal. That cash included, he’ll earn $190,000 in hard money for the 2026 season. He has an additional $9,000 available in playtime bonuses, plus $12,000 in statistical and award incentives:

• $2,000 for five sacks
• $2,000 for seven sacks
• $2,000 for nine sacks
• $1,000 West Division all-star
• $2,000 CFL all-star
• $1,000 West Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player
• $2,000 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player

The six-foot, 304-pound disruptor is scheduled to earn $215,000 in hard money in 2027, starting with an offseason roster bonus ($30,000 on February 1) and training camp report-and-pass bonus ($20,000). He also has the same playtime bonuses, and statistical and award incentives as outlined above, bringing the maximum value to $236,000.

The hard money in Hutchings’ deal increases to $225,000 in 2028, including the same offseason roster bonus and report-and-pass bonus as the previous year. Again, there are the same playtime bonuses, and statistical and award incentives as outlined above, making the maximum value $246,000.

The standout defender was rewarded with a substantial raise after a stellar 2025 campaign. He recorded 39 defensive tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 17 regular-season games.

Despite being the top-graded defensive player in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Forney, Texas native ranks third in compensation at his position for 2026 behind Winnipeg’s Jake Ceresna and Montreal’s Mustafa Johnson.

Calgary signed Hutchings late in the 2024 season. He played two regular-season games and registered two defensive tackles as a CFL rookie. He also had a stint with the Chicago Bears earlier that year but was released near the end of the team’s training camp.

The Texas Tech University product registered 193 total tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass knockdown over 61 games with the Red Raiders. He underwent knee surgery late in his final NCAA season, which hurt his stock in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Stampeders (0-2) visit the B.C. Lions (0-2) at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, B.C. on Saturday, June 27 with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT. Calgary comes off an overtime loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Lions got crushed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The weather forecast in Kelowna calls for a high of 20 degrees with a 60 percent chance of rain. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 770 CHQR in Calgary or 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in B.C.