Top up the CFL MOP: Blue Bombers’ QB Zach Collaros earns raise with three-year, $1.8 million contract extension

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ quarterback Zach Collaros has earned a raise and raised the bar in being the highest-paid player in the CFL.

According to league sources, Collaros will be paid $600,000 annually in his new agreement for a total of $1.8 million over three years through the 2025 season. $250,000 of his $500,000 base salary is guaranteed in the final year of the contract, as per the new collective bargaining agreement stipulation allowing contracts for veteran players to be partially guaranteed.

The 34-year-old signed a one-year extension in January 2022 that made him the highest-paid player in the CFL, paying the two-time Grey Cup champion $550,000. He has lived up to that salary and then some, throwing for a career-high 4,115 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions over 16 starts, posting a 14-2 record this season.

Collaros has gone 31-4 as a starter in Winnipeg since being acquired from the Toronto Argonauts via trade in October 2019 and won back-to-back CFL championships. He has thrown for a total of 7,521 yards, 57 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions during regular season action with the Blue Bombers.

If he wins the three-down league’s Most Outstanding Player award this year, Collaros will be just the fifth player in CFL history to win it in consecutive seasons.

The Blue Bombers (14-3) are currently on a bye week before closing out the regular season against the B.C. Lions (11-5) on Friday, October 28 at IG Field. The team has already clinched first place in the West Division and will host the West Final on Sunday, Nov. 13 with kickoff slated for 4:30 p.m. EDT.