Position-by-position reporting on the highest-paid players across every group in the Canadian Football League is now complete.
With those individual breakdowns finalized, it is time to examine the league's top earners overall, regardless of position. Off the field, professional athletes often weigh high-stakes contracts alongside personal finance and entertainment, whether relaxing between games or enjoying online gaming at Greenluck casino. On the field, however, these numbers reflect who commands the biggest paychecks in Canadian football.
Feel free to check out individual positional breakdowns for deeper analysis on 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 reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player retains his spot atop the league’s earnings list after pacing all players in compensation last season at $624,200. The Victoria, B.C. native's deal consists of a $275,000 base CFL salary, an offseason roster bonus of $210,000, $160,000 in marketing money, a $14,700 housing allowance, and a $10,000 training stipend.
2) Chad Kelly, Toronto Argonauts (A)
- Hard money: $625,000
- Maximum value: $625,000
Kelly’s package features a base salary of $210,480 alongside a $160,000 offseason roster bonus, $125,000 in marketing guarantees, a $65,000 signing bonus, $25,000 for report-and-pass conditions, $20,000 for training, $15,420 in housing, and $4,100 for travel.
3) Zach Collaros, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
- Hard money: $550,000
- Maximum value: $550,000
Despite recently accepting a $50,000 pay reduction, the two-time MOP remains firmly in the top three. Collaros’ contract features a $300,000 base salary, a $50,000 signing bonus, and a pair of $100,000 offseason bonuses.
4) Vernon Adams Jr., Calgary Stampeders (A)
- Hard money: $500,000
- Maximum value: $500,000
The Pasadena, California native earns a $225,000 signing bonus coupled with a $210,000 base salary, $20,000 in travel coverage, $15,000 for training, $15,000 in marketing income, and $15,000 for housing.
5) Bo Levi Mitchell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
- Hard money: $485,300
- Maximum value: $515,300
The 36-year-old veteran commands a $210,000 base salary and an identical $210,000 signing bonus, complemented by $40,000 in marketing, $15,300 in housing, and $10,000 for travel. Mitchell can trigger an extra $30,000 in incentives by dressing for at least 16 regular-season games.
6) Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
- Hard money: $455,300
- Maximum value: $509,300
The reigning Grey Cup MVP receives a $220,000 base salary, a $190,000 signing bonus, $25,000 in marketing income, $15,300 for housing, and $5,000 for travel. He can collect up to $54,000 in playtime bonuses ($3,000 per game with over 50% offensive snap participation).
7) Davis Alexander, Montreal Alouettes (A)
- Hard money: $404,000
- Maximum value: $446,000
Following a lucrative contract extension, the rising star secured an $180,000 signing bonus, a $141,080 base salary, $50,000 in marketing funds, $15,420 in housing, $12,500 in travel, and $5,000 for training. He can unlock $36,000 more in play-time incentives and $6,000 in award bonuses.
8) Cody Fajardo, Edmonton Elks (A)
- Hard money: $395,500
- Maximum value: $447,500
The experienced passer’s package includes a $190,000 signing bonus, $135,080 in base salary, $35,000 in marketing, $20,000 for travel, and $15,420 for housing. An additional $52,000 is available through active roster, statistical, and award-based performance metrics.
9) Dru Brown, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
- Hard money: $321,000
- Maximum value: $387,000
The five-foot-eleven signal-caller takes home a $150,000 signing bonus, $131,000 in base salary, $15,000 in marketing, $15,000 for housing, and $10,000 in travel funds. Brown can elevate his earnings by $66,000 via playing time, statistical milestones, and postseason accolades.
10) Coulter Woodmansey, Edmonton Elks (N)
- Hard money: $300,000
- Maximum value: $300,000
The 28-year-old stands as the highest-earning non-quarterback in the league. Woodmansey netted a $100,000 signing bonus on a new three-year free-agent deal, which also yields $152,600 in base pay, $20,000 in marketing, $15,400 for housing, and $12,000 in travel allowance for 2026.
11) RB Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)
- Hard money: $290,000
- Maximum value: $290,000
The two-time league rushing leader, two-time All-CFL pick, two-time Most Outstanding Canadian, and former MOP re-established the running back market with a three-year extension in Winnipeg. The deal features a $140,000 salary, $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
Re-signing with Vancouver, the two-time All-CFL wideout pocketed a $125,000 signing bonus, $122,800 in base pay, $25,000 in marketing, and $14,700 in housing. The 31-year-old has $31,000 available in incentives, including $10,000 upon taking his initial regular-season snap.
T-13) Dakoda Shepley, Toronto Argonauts (N)
- Hard money: $285,000
- Maximum value: $291,000
The Windsor, Ontario native joined the Argonauts with a $115,000 signing bonus, alongside $129,700 in salary, $15,300 for housing, $10,000 for training, $10,000 in marketing, and $5,000 in travel, plus $6,000 in potential award incentives.
T-13) Samuel Emilus, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)
- Hard money: $285,000
- Maximum value: $291,000
Coming off a Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian performance, Emilus secured a $110,000 signing bonus. His package includes $139,700 in base pay, $15,300 for housing, $10,000 for travel, $10,000 in marketing, and up to $6,000 in awards money.
T-13) Ryan Hunter, Toronto Argonauts (N)
- Hard money: $285,000
- Maximum value: $290,000
The North Bay native picked up a $100,000 roster bonus in February and earns $170,300 in base salary and $14,700 in housing. Hunter's contract also offers $5,000 in awards bonuses.
16) Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes (N)
- Hard money: $275,000
- Maximum value: $284,500
The 25-year-old playmaker inked a $100,000 signing bonus in December, paired with a $119,580 base salary, $20,000 in marketing income, $15,420 in housing, and $10,000 each for travel and training. Philpot can unlock up to $9,500 in incentives.
T-17) Mathieu Betts, B.C. Lions (N)
- Hard money: $270,000
- Maximum value: $276,000
Entering the final year of his deal, the two-time Most Outstanding Defensive Player collected an $80,000 roster bonus in January, $175,300 in base salary, $14,700 in housing, and $6,000 in available award bonuses.
T-17) Malik Carney, Edmonton Elks (A)
- Hard money: $270,000
- Maximum value: $272,500
The six-foot-three edge rusher received a $150,000 signing bonus to join Edmonton in February. The Alexandria, Virginia native earns $85,000 in base 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 receiver landed a $50,000 signing bonus in February to go along with $193,280 in base salary, $15,420 in housing, $2,500 in marketing, and $2,500 in travel, plus $12,000 in potential playing time and award incentives.
20) Justin McInnis, B.C. Lions (N)
- Hard money: $255,000
- Maximum value: $261,000
The Pierrefonds, Quebec native grabbed a $100,000 offseason bonus and another $25,000 upon reporting to camp and passing his physical. McInnis also earns $116,000 in salary, $14,000 in housing, and up to $6,000 in award incentives.