Bombers’ reigning CFL MODP Willie Jefferson accepts $50,000-plus pay cut

Photo by Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.ca

The CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Defensive Player Willie Jefferson took a sizeable hit to his salary.

According to TSN reporter Farhan Lalji, Jefferson agreed to a restructured contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that will pay him $205,000 in 2021 after he was was originally due to make $260,000. 

When Jefferson signed a two-year extension last February with Winnipeg and it was worth over $500,000 total. However, due to teams around the league spending to the salary cap floor instead of the ceiling, players are feeling the financial crunch.

Jefferson posted a career-high 12 sacks, forced six fumbles and knocked down a CFL single-season record 16 passes in 2019. He also added 24 tackles, five tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one interception. The 29-year-old was named a CFL all-star for the third straight season.

The six-foot-seven, 245-pound defensive lineman was a one-man wrecking crew in the 2019 Grey Cup, recording three sacks and forcing two fumbles to help the Blue Bombers upset Hamilton 33-12, hoisting the big silver trophy for the first time in 29 years.