The CFL’s 30 highest-paid players for 2026

B.C. Lions/Jeff Vinnick

3DownNation recently completed its reporting on the highest-paid players at each position in the Canadian Football League.

With this in mind, it’s time to take a look at the highest-paid players in the league regardless of position.

Please use these links to check out our positional breakdowns of each group: quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks, receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs.

1) Nathan Rourke, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $684,700
Maximum value: $684,700

The CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Player was the highest-paid player in the CFL last year, too, earning $624,200. The Victoria, B.C. native’s compensation comes in the form of a $275,000 base salary, $210,000 offseason roster bonus, $160,000 in marketing, $14,700 in housing, and a $10,000 training allowance.

2) Chad Kelly, Toronto Argonauts (A)

Hard money: $625,000
Maximum value: $625,000

Kelly’s compensation includes a $210,480 base salary, $160,000 offseason roster bonus, $125,000 in marketing, a $65,000 signing bonus, $25,000 report and pass bonus, $20,000 training allowance, $15,420 in housing, and a $4,100 travel allowance.

3) Zach Collaros, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $550,000
Maximum value: $550,000

Collaros recently took a $50,000 pay cut but remains top-three on the list. The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player’s contract includes a $50,000 signing bonus, $300,000 in base salary, and two $100,000 offseason bonuses.

4) Vernon Adams Jr., Calgary Stampeders (A)

Hard money: $500,000
Maximum value: $500,000

The native of Pasadena, Calif.’s contract includes a $225,000 signing bonus, $210,000 base salary, $20,000 travel allowance, $15,000 training allowance, $15,000 in marketing, and $15,000 in housing.

5) Bo Levi Mitchell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $485,300
Maximum value: $515,300

The 36-year-old’s contract includes a $210,000 signing bonus, $210,000 base salary, $40,000 in marketing, $15,300 in housing, and a $10,000 travel allowance. Mitchell has an additional $30,000 available in incentives, which can be unlocked if he plays in least 16 regular-season games.

6) Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Hard money: $455,300
Maximum value: $509,300

The reigning Grey Cup MVP will earn a $220,000 base salary, $190,000 signing bonus, $25,000 in marketing, $15,300 in housing, and $5,000 travel allowance. Harris has an additional $54,000 available in playtime incentives — $3,000 per game in which he plays 51 percent of Saskatchewan’s offensive snaps.

7) Davis Alexander, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $404,000
Maximum value: $446,000

The burgeoning star got an $180,000 signing bonus on his most recent extension, and will also earn $141,080 in base salary, $50,000 in marketing, $15,420 in housing, $12,500 in travel, and $5,000 in training. He has an additional $36,000 available in playtime, plus $6,000 in award incentives.

8) Cody Fajardo, Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $395,500
Maximum value: $447,500

The veteran passer’s compensation includes a $190,000 signing bonus, $135,080 base salary, $35,000 in marketing, $20,000 in travel, and $15,420 in housing. He has an additional $52,000 available in active roster, statistical, and awards incentives.

9) Dru Brown, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $321,00
Maximum value: $387,000

The five-foot-eleven, 200-pound passer will earn a $150,000 signing bonus, $131,000 base salary, $15,000 in marketing, $15,000 in housing, and a $10,000 travel allowance. Brown has an additional $66,000 available in playtime, statistical, all-star and award incentives.

10) Coulter Woodmansey, Edmonton Elks (N)

Hard money: $300,000
Maximum value: $300,000

The 28-year-old is the top-ranked non-quarterback on this list. Woodmansey received a $100,000 signing bonus to sign a three-year deal in free agency, which also includes $152,600 in salary, $20,000 in marketing, $15,400 in housing, and $12,000 in travel in 2026.

11) RB Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)

Hard money: $290,000
Maximum value: $290,000

The two-time rushing champion, two-time All-CFL selection, two-time Most Outstanding Canadian, one-time Most Outstanding Player, and television star reset the running back market on a three-year extension with his hometown team. Oliveira’s deal includes $140,000 in salary, a $120,000 signing bonus, and $30,000 in marketing.

12) Keon Hatcher Sr., B.C. Lions (A)

Hard money: $287,500
Maximum value: $318,500

The two-time All-CFL target got a $125,000 signing bonus, $122,800 in salary, $25,000 in marketing, and $14,700 in housing to sign back with the Lions. The 31-year-old can also earn up to $31,000 in incentives, including $10,000 for playing his first regular-season snap of the year.

T-13) Dakoda Shepley, Toronto Argonauts (N)

Hard money: $285,000
Maximum value: $291,000

The native of Windsor, Ont. received a $115,000 signing bonus to join the Boatmen and will also collect $129,700 in salary, $15,300 in housing, $10,000 in training, $10,000 in marketing, and $5,000 in travel. Shepley’s deal also includes $6,000 in possible awards incentives.

T-13) Samuel Emilus, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)

Hard money: $285,000
Maximum value: $291,000

The reigning Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian cashed in with a $110,000 signing bonus. Emilus will earn a $139,700 salary, $15,300 in housing, a $10,000 travel allowance, and $10,000 in marketing, plus up to $6,000 in awards incentives.

T-13) Ryan Hunter, Toronto Argonauts (N)

Hard money: $285,000
Maximum value: $290,000

The native of North Bay, Ont. collected a $100,000 roster bonus in February, and will earn an additional $170,300 in salary and $14,700 in housing this year. Hunter’s deal also includes $5,000 in possible awards incentives.

16) Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $275,000
Maximum value: $284,500

The 25-year-old received a $100,000 signing bonus in December and will take home $119,580 in salary, $20,000 in marketing, $15,420 in housing, and $10,000 each in travel and training. Philpot also has up to $9,500 available in awards incentives.

T-17) Mathieu Betts, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $270,000
Maximum value: $276,000

The CFL’s two-time Most Outstanding Defensive Player earned an $80,000 roster bonus in January and will also collect $175,300 in salary, $14,700 in housing, and up to $6,000 in awards incentives. Betts is entering the final year of his contract with the Lions.

T-17) Malik Carney, Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $270,000
Maximum value: $272,500

The six-foot-three, 245-pound defender got a $150,000 signing bonus to sign with the Elks in February. The native of Alexandria, Va. will also earn $85,000 in salary, $15,000 in marketing, $15,000 in housing, and $5,000 in travel.

19) Kenny Lawler, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $263,700
Maximum value: $275,700

The 31-year-old took home a $50,000 signing bonus in February and will earn $193,280 in salary, $15,420 in housing, $2,500 in marketing, and a $2,500 travel allowance. The two-time All-CFL target can also make up to $12,000 in playtime and awards incentives.

20) Justin McInnis, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $255,000
Maximum value: $261,000

The native of Pierrefonds, Que. collected a $100,000 offseason bonus and another $25,000 for reporting to training camp and passing his physical. McInnis will also earn $116,000 in salary, $14,000 in housing, and up to $6,000 in awards incentives.

T-21) Drew Desjarlais, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $250,000
Maximum value: $256,000

The native of Belle River, Ont. received a $25,000 offseason roster bonus in January and $20,000 for reporting to training camp and passing his physical. Desjarlais will also earn $170,300 in salary, $15,000 in marketing, $14,700 in housing, $5,000 in travel, and up to $6,000 in awards incentives.

T-21) Logan Ferland, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)

Hard money: $250,000
Maximum value: $255,000

The 29-year-old was named All-CFL for the second-straight season in 2025 and collected a $50,000 roster bonus in January. Ferland will also earn $164,700 in salary, $20,000 in marketing, $15,300 in housing, and up to $5,000 in awards incentives.

T-21) Jarell Broxton, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $250,000
Maximum value: $250,000

The native of Olney, Md. got a $125,000 signing bonus to join the Blue Bombers in free agency, and will earn an additional $94,600 in salary, $15,400 in housing, $10,000 in marketing, and $5,000 in travel.

T-24) A.J. Allen, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $240,000
Maximum value: $246,000

The Burlington, Ont. native got a $60,000 signing bonus to join Ottawa in free agency and will also earn $144,600 in salary, $15,400 in housing, $15,000 in marketing, $5,000 in travel, and up to $6,000 in awards incentives.

T-24) Pier-Olivier Lestage, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $240,000
Maximum value: $246,000

The Université de Montréal product was named All-East Division for the first time last season, leading to a new contract that included a $70,000 signing bonus, $170,000 in salary, and up to $6,000 in awards incentives.

T-24) Zack Williams, Calgary Stampeders (N)

Hard money: $240,000
Maximum value: $246,000

The Winnipeg native earned a $40,000 roster bonus in January, then signed a new three-year contract in April. The six-foot-five, 310-pound blocker will earn $164,000 in salary, $16,000 in housing, $10,000 in marketing, a $10,000 report-and-pass bonus, and up to $6,000 in awards incentives.

T-24) Nic Demski, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)

Hard money: $240,000
Maximum value: $255,000

The 32-year-old earned a $65,000 signing bonus to stay in Winnipeg on a deal that also includes $150,000 in salary and $25,000 in marketing. Demski’s deal also includes $15,000 in awards incentives.

28) Jake Ceresna, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $235,000
Maximum value: $235,000

The two-time All-CFL selection got a $120,000 signing bonus to join the Blue Bombers in free agency. The six-foot-four, 295-pound defender will also earn $70,000 in salary, $20,000 in marketing, $15,000 in housing, $5,000 in travel, and $5,000 in training.

T-29) Robbie Smith, Edmonton Elks (N)

Hard money: $230,000
Maximum value: $248,500

The Wilfrid Laurier product got a $50,000 signing bonus to rework his deal with the Elks in November, which carries through 2027. The native of Brampton, Ont. will also earn $135,000 in salary, $25,000 in marketing, $15,000 in housing, $5,000 in travel in 2026, and up to $18,500 in incentives.

T-29) Brandon Revenberg, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)

Hard money: $230,000
Maximum value: $246,000

The 33-year-old got a $25,000 roster bonus in February and will also earn $184,600 in salary, $15,400 in housing, and $5,000 in marketing, plus up to $16,000 in playtime and awards incentives.

T-29) Tyrice Beverette, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $230,000
Maximum value: $236,500

The two-time All-CFL defender got a $75,000 signing bonus when he reworked his deal with the Alouettes in January. The native of Lakewood, N.J. will also collect $102,300 in salary, $20,000 in marketing, $15,000 for reporting to training camp, $14,700 in housing, $3,000 in training, and up to $6,500 in statistical and awards incentives.

T-29) Tyrell Ford, Edmonton Elks (N)

Hard money: $230,000*
Maximum value: $236,000*

The Niagara Falls, Ont. native received a $55,000 signing bonus in October to extend with the Elks through 2027. Though it appears these funds counted against the salary cap in 2025, we’ve included them here to provide a fair comparison to other defensive backs around the league. Ford will also earn $140,000 in salary, $20,000 in marketing, $15,000 in housing, and up to $6,000 in awards incentives.

T-29) Jermarcus Hardrick, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Hard money: $230,000
Maximum value: $235,000

The CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman got a $120,000 signing bonus to agree to a one-year extension with Saskatchewan.. The 35-year-old will also make $85,200 in salary, $15,300 in housing, $7,500 in marketing, and $2,000 in travel in 2026, plus up to $5,000 in awards incentives.