The CFL’s highest-paid specialists in 2026

“Hard money” is a CFL term that refers to any portion of a contract that is paid even if a player is hurt. This includes base salary, signing bonuses, roster bonuses, housing allowances, travel allowances, and training allowances. Marketing money, which is officially called “non-football-related services,” isn’t always guaranteed, though we’ve decided to include it in hard money for this series.

Any additional components — often referred to as “playtime” or “performance incentives” — are outlined in part or in full in the paragraph accompanying each player. These bonuses are often tied to how much a player sees the field, produces yardage, scores a touchdown, makes tackles, or whether or not they’re named an all-star.

“N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes American players, and “G” denotes Global players.

Kickers/Punters

1) Sergio Castillo, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $140,000
Maximum value: $152,000

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2) Sean Whyte, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $140,000
Maximum value: $146,000

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3) Rene Paredes, Calgary Stampeders (N)

Hard money: $130,000
Maximum value: $136,000

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4) Marc Liegghio, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)

Hard money: $116,500
Maximum value: $127,900

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5) Lirim Hajrullahu, Toronto Argonauts (N)

Hard money: $107,500
Maximum value: $139,000

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6) Jake Julien, Edmonton Elks (N)

Hard money: $103,500
Maximum value: $105,500

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7) John Haggerty, Toronto Argonauts (G)

Hard money: $100,000
Maximum value: $102,000

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8) Jamieson Sheahan, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (G)

Hard money: $100,000
Maximum value: $100,000

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9) Joseph Zema, Montreal Alouettes (G)

Hard money: $97,000
Maximum value: $103,000

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10) Jose Maltos Diaz, Montreal Alouettes (G)

Hard money: $93,500
Maximum value: $107,500

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11) Brett Lauther, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $92,500
Maximum value: $108,500

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Kick returners

1) Kalil Pimpleton, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $135,000
Maximum value: $141,000

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2) Javon Leake, Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $135,000
Maximum value: $140,000

The former CFL Most Outstanding Special Teams Player got a $15,000 bonus to rework his deal in January. Leake will also make $89,800 in salary, $14,700 in housing, $2,000 in travel, and $1,000 in training. The native of Bronx, N.Y., earned a $5,000 bonus when he reported to training camp and passed his physical, plus up to $5,000 in awards and performance incentives.

3) James Letcher Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Hard money: $125,300
Maximum value: $137,700

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4) Janarion Grant, Toronto Argonauts (A)

Hard money: $120,300
Maximum value: $128,800

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5) DeVonte Dedmon, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $119,500
Maximum value: $130,500

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6) Peyton Logan, Toronto Argonauts (A)

Hard money: $95,300
Maximum value: $122,300

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7) Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $95,000
Maximum value: $109,000

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8) Mario Alford, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $92,500
Maximum value: $112,000+

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9) Tyreik McAllister, Calgary Stampeders (A)

Hard money: $81,500
Maximum value: $100,000

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Long snappers

1) Louis-Philippe Bourassa, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $105,000
Maximum value: $105,000

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2) Gordon Whyte, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)

Hard money: $96,000
Maximum value: $96,000

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3) Luke Burton-Krahn, Edmonton Elks (N)

Hard money: $93,000
Maximum value: $99,000

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4) Adam Guillemette, Toronto Argonauts (N)

Hard money: $93,000
Maximum value: $93,000

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5) Aaron Crawford, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)

Hard money: $83,000
Maximum value: $91,000

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6) Peter Adjey, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: 
Maximum value:

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