CFL salaries are gradually and incrementally increasing, but they still don’t hold a candle to the comparatively swollen salaries in the NFL.
Let’s look at the most lucrative salaries in the CFL, focusing on the players who should have the greatest impact on the CFL odds for their teams at the BetMGM sportsbook.
Related: How Much Do CFL Players Make?
Who Earns the Most in the CFL?
| Name | Salary | Position | Team |
| Nathan Rourke | $684,700 | QB | BC Lions |
| Chad Kelly | $625,000 | QB | Toronto Argonauts |
| Zach Collaros | $550,000 | QB | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Vernon Adams Jr. | $500,000 | QB | Calgary Stampeders |
| Bo Levi Mitchell | $485,300 | QB | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| Trevor Harris | $455,300 | QB | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Davis Alexander | $404,000 | QB | Montreal Alouettes |
| Cody Fajardo | $395,500 | QB | Edmonton Elks |
| Dru Brown | $321,000 | QB | Ottawa Redblacks |
| Coulter Woodmansey | $300,000 | OL | Edmonton Elks |
| Brady Oliveira | $290,000 | RB | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Keon Hatcher Sr. | $287,500 | WR | BC Lions |
| Dakoda Shepley | $285,000 | OL | Toronto Argonauts |
| Samuel Emilus | $285,000 | WR | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Ryan Hunter | $285,000 | OL | Toronto Argonauts |
| Tyson Philpot | $275,000 | WR | Montreal Alouettes |
| Mathieu Betts | $270,000 | DL | BC Lions |
| Malik Carney | $270,000 | DL | Edmonton Elks |
| Kenny Lawler | $263,700 | WR | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| Justin McInnis | $250,000 | WR | BC Lions |
| Drew Desjarlais | $250,000 | OL | Ottawa Redblacks |
| Logan Ferland | $250,000 | OL | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Jarell Broxton | $250,000 | OL | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| A.J. Allen | $240,000 | LB | Ottawa Redblacks |
| Pier-Olivier Lestage | $240,000 | OL | Montreal Alouettes |
| Zack Williams | $240,000 | OL | Calgary Stampeders |
| Nic Demski | $240,000 | WR | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke is the highest-paid player in the CFL, and he will earn $684,700 CAD in the 2026 season.
Rourke’s rookie season was in 2021, when he played 13 games and threw more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (three).
A lot has changed since, with the 28-year-old tossing 31 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions en route to winning the 2025 Most Outstanding Canadian and the George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award.
He was also named the Most Outstanding Canadian in 2022.
Despite Rourke’s league-best salary, he hasn’t led the Lions to a Grey Cup during his tenure as the No. 1 quarterback.
How Much Does Nathan Rourke Make in the CFL?
Rourke will earn $684,700 CAD in the 2026 season.
Who is the Highest-Paid Non-Quarterback in the CFL?
Edmonton Elks offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey, who earns $300,000 CAD per season, is the highest-paid non-QB.
Who is the Highest-Paid Running Back in the CFL?
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers‘ Brady Oliveira earns $290,000 CAD per season, the most of the CFL’s running backs.
Who is the Highest-Paid Wide Receiver in the CFL?
The BC Lions’ Keon Hatcher Sr. is the highest-paid wide receiver in the CFL, and he will earn $287,500 CAD in 2026.
CFL Odds at BetMGM
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