• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, January 15, 2025

The 25 Highest-Paid CFL Players

  • Nine quarterbacks are among the highest-paid CFL players.
  • Only three 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. But the highest-paid CFL players of 2024 still do relatively well compared to the league average of $73,200.

Nathan Rourke is the highest-paid CFL player of 2024. He plays quarterback for the B.C. Lions and earns $600,000 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 in August after getting cut by the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

Chad Kelly comes in second, raking in $444,400 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 $433,500 with the Blue Bombers in 2022. Collaros posted career-highs in 2023 in passing yards and average yards per completion.

Bo Levi Mitchell holds the fourth spot on the highest-paid CFL players list. He earns a salary of $390,200 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on a two-year deal. 

Mitchell has won two Grey Cups while quarterback of the Calgary Stampeders.

The fifth highest-paid CFL player is another quarterback, Trevor Harris of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Harris will earn $361,300 this year after signing a one-year extension.

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

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

Out of the top 25 highest-paid players in the CFL, 88% play on the offense. Only three players made the list from the defensive side of the ball, and none of those three play in the defensive backfield.

Defensive backs are the lowest-earning position. No players cracked the top 25, and none are earning 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 2024 by salary. The list was compiled using data from the CFL and 3downnation.

  • Updated: November 6, 2024
RankPlayerPositionTeamTotal Compensation
1Nathan RourkeQuarterbackB.C. Lions$600K
2Chad KellyQuarterbackToronto Argonauts$444.4K
3Zach CollarosQuarterbackWinnipeg Blue Bombers$433.5K
4Bo Levi MitchellQuarterbackHamilton Tiger-Cats$390.2K
5Trevor HarrisQuarterbackSaskatchewan Roughriders$361.3K
6Jeremiah MasoliQuarterbackOttawa Redblacks$312.9K
7Cody FajardoQuarterbackMontreal Alouettes$307.1K
8Vernon Adams JrQuarterbackB.C. Lions$285.4K
9Eugene LewisWide ReceiverEdmonton Elks$231.2K
10Dru BrownQuarterbackOttawa Redblacks$206.7K
11Kenny LawlerWide ReceiverWinnipeg Blue Bombers$205.9K
12Drew DesjarlaisOffensive LinemanOttawa Redblacks$187.9K
13Folarin OrimoladeDefensive LinemanToronto Argonauts$180.6K
14Mark KorteOffensive LinemanEdmonton Elks$177K
15Brady OliveiraRunning BackWinnipeg Blue Bombers$173.4K
16Jermarcus HardrickOffensive LinemanSaskatchewan Roughriders$166.5K
17Dalton SchoenWide ReceiverWinnipeg Blue Bombers$166.2K
18Nic DemskiWide ReceiverWinnipeg Blue Bombers$162.6K
19Alexander HollinsWide ReceiverB.C. Lions$161.1K
T-20Tim WhiteWide ReceiverHamilton Tiger-Cats$151.7K
T-20Kurleigh Gittens JrWide ReceiverEdmonton Elks$151.7K
T-20Jake CeresnaDefensive LinemanToronto Argonauts$151.7K
23Ryan HunterOffensive LinemanToronto Argonauts$151K
24Wynton McManisLinebackerToronto Argonauts$150.3K
25Brandon RevenbergOffensive LinemanHamilton Tiger-Cats$148.1K

Related highest-paid articles:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Roki Sasaki Race: MLB Teams Made Films, Books to Court Bargain..

The Japanese star has met with “a set few number of teams.”

Darnold Dilemma: Will QB Breakout Lead Vikings to Ditch Low-Cost Succession?

Minnesota is 14–2 and vying for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Why Top MLB Free Agent Corbin Burnes Took Less Money in Arizona

Corbin Burnes took less guaranteed money to give himself long-term upside.
Oct 8, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) celebrates with designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) after hitting a grand slam in the third inning against the San Diego Padres during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park.

Three MLB Teams Paid 84% of Record $311M Luxury Taxes This Year

The Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees combine for 84% of MLB’s luxury tax.

Featured Today

Race leader and eventual stage winner Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final kilometer up the finish climb of stage 19 from Logroño to Alto De Moncalvillo (ESP/168km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 6 September. // Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409060905 // Usage for editorial use only //Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) congratulated by teammate Florian LIPOWITZ (DEU/RedBull - BORA - hansgrohe) after a very strong stage 13 from Lugo to Puerto De Ancares (ESP/171km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 30 August

Red Bull Is on a Hot Streak in Sports. Can It Win..

The company is betting on a big future in cycling.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) knocks the ball out of the hands of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and returns the fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.
January 11, 2025

College Football Is Closer Than Ever to Perfecting the Championship Process

Despite valid criticisms, the first expanded Playoff is working.
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman (R) reacts on the sidelines in the final minute against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome.
January 9, 2025

Amid Realignment Mania, Notre Dame Stayed Independent. It Paid Off

How the CFP semifinal-bound Fighting Irish made their business model work.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first-down catch against Oregon during the 2025 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
January 3, 2025

The Biggest Changes to College Sports Are Coming in 2025

Sweeping developments could affect the college sports foundation this year.
Jul 29, 2024; Paris, France; Jagger Eaton of the United States, Yuto Horigome of Japan, and Nyjah Huston of the United States pose for a photo on the podium after the men’s street finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at La Concorde 3.

Olympic Medals From Paris Games Already Need to Be Replaced, IOC Says

Athletes complained about the condition of their medals before the Games ended.
AJ Brown
January 13, 2025

A.J. Brown Turned a Self-Help Book Into a No. 1 Bestseller

Brown was caught reading on the sidelines during the Eagles’ win Sunday.
January 13, 2025

LiAngelo Ball Reportedly Signs $13 Million Music Deal After Hit Song

Ball has never played in an NBA game.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
January 12, 2025

Carson Beck, Quinn Ewers Highlight NIL Mania In College Football

The former Georgia quarterback is getting paid big-time to transfer to Miami.
JJ Redick
January 10, 2025

Steve Kerr, JJ Redick Among Sports Figures Who Lost Homes in L.A...

Kerr said his family had owned the home since the 1960s.
Oct 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LiAngelo Ball before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
January 8, 2025

LiAngelo Ball Never Reached the NBA. His Song Has Taken It by..

“Tweaker” is No. 8 on Spotify’s U.S. Top 50 songs playlist.
JJ Redick
January 8, 2025

How Los Angeles Fires Are Affecting Sports: Lakers Game Postponed

Wednesday night’s Kings-Flames game was called off.