Top 10 Highest-Paid CFL players

Zach Collaros, Winnipeg Blue Bombers – salary $600K

Quarterback Zach Collaros tops the CFL’s highest-paid list. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers player joined the team in 2020 and has become a star player.

In 2022, the 35-year-old won the CFL Most Outstanding Player award and was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player. The decorated quarterback performed at the top of his game again in 2023. Collaros dominated the passing stats as he made the most CFL passing yards (4,252) during the season.

Chad Kelly, Toronto Argonauts – salary $583K

Another CFL quarterback is second on the highest-paid list. Toronto Argonauts Chad Kelly makes slightly less than Collaros each year, at just under $600K.

Kelly had a tough NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts following suspensions and eventual release in 2020. However, the 30-year-old returned to professional football in 2022 with the Argonauts and has impressed ever since.

In 2023, Kelly found consistency in Toronto and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the season. He was rewarded in August 2023 with a three-year contract and was the highest-paid player for a period until Callaros took the top spot ahead of the 2024 season.

Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan Roughriders – salary $473K

Trevor Harris is an experienced football pro and the oldest player in the CFL’s best-paid list at 38 years old.

Harris joined the Roughriders at the beginning of the 2023 season on a two-year contract. However, the veteran quarterback suffered a serious knee injury early in the campaign and was ruled out for the season.

Another injury setback has impacted Harris’ playing time so far in 2024. As a result, since the beginning of the 2023 season, Harris has played just eight games for the Roughriders.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Edmonton Elks – salary $461K

McLeod Bethel-Thompson spent last season playing in the United States Football League for the New Orleans Breakers. The quarterback impressed and was the league’s leading passer with 2,433 yards thrown.

Strong form led the Edmonton Elks to sign Bethel-Thompson as a free agent for $461K per year. He is an experienced player who has the potential to reach the top level. The quarterback was included in the East Division All-Star team in 2021 and 2022 and won two Grey Cup winners medals.

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Cody Fajardo, Montreal Alouettes – salary $432K

Cody Fajardo joined the Montreal Alouettes as a free agent on a two-year deal in February 2023. The quarterback was consistent in the 2023 season, leading the pass completion percentage rankings with 70.9%.

Fajardo also won the Most Valuable Player award for the Grey Cup final match against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he threw three touchdowns.

Vernon Adams Jr, B.C. Lions – salary $403K

Vernon Adams joined the BC Lions in 2022 but signed a two-year contract extension in February 2024.

The extension followed the 2023 campaign, where the quarterback posted career-best totals in several areas. In 16 games, Adams made 333 of his 488 attempted passes and 31 touchdown strikes.

Jake Maier, Calgary Stampeders – salary $339K

Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier has been a regular starter in recent seasons. The 27-year-old joined the team in 2020 and received a two-year contract extension in 2022.

Maier was one of the top CFL quarterbacks in the 2023 season, making 19 touchdown strikes and throwing 2,244 yards.

Eugene Lewis, Edmonton Elks – $320K

Eugene ‘Geno’ Lewis is the highest-paid wide receiver on the CFL’s biggest earners list. Lewis earned a lucrative move to Edmonton in February 2023 following three seasons in the CFL East All-Star team at the Montreal Alouettes.

Despite injuries in the 2023 season, Lewis made 48 receptions for 844 yards in just 12 games.

Dru Brown, Ottawa Redblacks – $286

After seasons of playing back up to Collaros at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Dru Brown earned a big-money move to the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024.

Brown raised attention after a strong 2023 season. The quarterback played 18 games for Winnipeg and made 62 of his 89 passes for 983 yards. As a result, he will earn a $286K base wage this season, with a rise up to $355K and additional bonuses expected in 2025.

Kenny Lawler, Winnipeg Blue Bombers – $285K

Kenny Lawler is the only other player on the CFL’s highest-paid list who is not a quarterback. The wide receiver returned to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023 for a second spell after representing the team between 2019 and 2021.

Lawler was injured for the first six games upon his return to Winnipeg. However, the 30-year-old showed good form for the 2023 season and added 901 yards in just 12 regular season games.

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