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Friday, May 30, 2025

The 25 Highest-Paid CFL Players

  • Nine quarterbacks are among the highest-paid CFL players.
  • Only six defensive players made the list.
Zach Collaros
Jun 13, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (8). Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL’s cousins to the north, the CFL (Canadian Football League) have to play in the shadows of the sports behemoth both in talent and earnings. However, the highest-paid CFL players of 2025 still do relatively well compared to the league average of $73,200.

Nathan Rourke is the highest-paid CFL player of 2025. He plays quarterback for the B.C. Lions and earns $455,666 yearly. Rourke’s popularity in Canada and his play when he was last with the Lions in 2022 justify the top salary.

He signed for the Lions last August after getting cut by the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

Chad Kelly comes in second, raking in $449,000 a year. He’s the nephew of Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly and won the 2023 Most Outstanding Player award for the CFL. 

Third on the list is Zach Collaros of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He signed his deal for $438,000 with the Blue Bombers in 2022. Collaros posted career-highs in 2023 in passing yards and average yards per completion.

Vernon Adams Jr. holds the fourth spot on the highest-paid CFL players list. He earns a salary of $339,450 with the Calgary Stampeders. Adams Jr. was recently traded to the Stampeders to boost their chances of lifting the Grey Cup this season.

The fifth highest-paid CFL player is another quarterback, Trevor Harris of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. After signing a one-year extension, Harris will earn $299,781 this year.

Unsurprisingly, quarterbacks dominate the highest-paid CFL players list.

Considered one of the toughest positions to play in sports, nine quarterbacks are among the top 25 highest-paid players. This includes the top seven highest earners. 

Out of the top 25 highest-paid players in the CFL, 76% play on the offense. Only six players made the list from the defensive side of the ball.

Linebackers are the lowest-earning position. Only Wynton McManis cracked the top 25, but he’s only 20th and doesn’t earn over $200,000.

Ranking The Highest-Paid Canadian Football League Players

Here is the entire list of the top 25 highest-paid CFL players of 2025 by salary. All amounts have been converted from CAD (Canadian dollars) to USD. The list was compiled using data from the CFL and 3downnation.

  • Updated: April 22, 2025
RankPlayerPositionTeamTotal Compensation
1Nathan RourkeQuarterbackB.C. Lions$455,666
2Chad KellyQuarterbackToronto Argonauts$449,000
3Zach CollarosQuarterbackWinnipeg Blue Bombers$438,000
4Vernon Adams Jr.QuarterbackCalgary Stampeders$339,450
5Trevor HarrisQuarterbackSaskatchewan Roughriders$299,781
6Dru BrownQuarterbackOttawa Redblacks$259,931
7Bo Levi MitchellQuarterbackHamilton Tiger-Cats$236,374
8Kenny LawlerWide ReceiverHamilton Tiger-Cats$202,356
T-9Ryan HunterOffensive LinemanToronto Argonauts$197,100
T-9Robbie SmithDefensive LinemanEdmonton Elks$197,100
T-11Mathieu BettsDefensive LinemanB.C. Lions$189,800
T-11Drew DesjarlaisOffensive LinemanOttawa Redblacks$189,800
13Davis AlexanderQuarterbackMontreal Alouettes$188,340
14Tre FordQuarterbackEdmonton Elks$187,610
15Justin McInnisWide ReceiverB.C. Lions$181,250
16Brady OliveiraRunning BackWinnipeg Blue Bombers$175,200
17Jake CeresnaDefensive LinemanEdmonton Elks$171,550
T-18Folarin OrimoladeDefensive LinemanCalgary Stampeders$167,900
T-18Tyrell FordDefensive BackEdmonton Elks$167,900
20Wynton McManisLinebackerToronto Argonauts$167,535
T-21Mark KorteOffensive LinemanEdmonton Elks$164,250
T-21Justin HardyWide ReceiverOttawa Redblacks$164,250
T-21Nic DemskiWide ReceiverWinnipeg Blue Bombers$164,250
24Tim WhiteWide ReceiverHamilton Tiger-Cats$164,104
25Eugene LewisWide ReceiverOttawa Redblacks$162,790

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