Photo: Edmonton Elks

Canadian defensive lineman Robbie Smith will remain one of the CFL’s highest-paid players on his extension with the Edmonton Elks, per sources, despite coming off a down year.

The 28-year-old played only 10 regular-season games due to injury in 2025, recording 16 defensive tackles. Based on what they’re paying him over the next two seasons, it appears the Elks still have full confidence in Smith.

The product of Wilfrid Laurier University received a $50,000 signing bonus to extend with the team through 2027.

Including this bonus, the new contract is worth $235,000 in hard money for 2026, including $135,000 in salary, $25,000 in non-football-related services to the team, and $15,000 in housing. He can also earn an addition $13,500 in possible incentives, including $2,500 if he records eight sacks and another $2,500 if he reaches 10 sacks.

In 2027, Smith is set to earn $240,000 in hard money with a salary increase to $145,000 and an offseason roster bonus worth $45,000. He also has the same $13,500 in possible incentives available. If he reaches all of his incentives over the next two years, Smith will earn $502,000 from the Elks.

Smith was the ninth overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft and spent five seasons with the Toronto Argonauts, recording 127 defensive tackles, 30 special teams tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception over 80 regular-season games. He helped the team win the Grey Cup in 2022 and 2024.

The native of Brampton, Ont. signed with Edmonton last February on a contract that made him the CFL’s highest-paid defensive player.

Smith’s extension was negotiated by longtime CFL agent Fred Weinrauch.

The Edmonton Elks finished fifth in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 7-11 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Cody Fajardo started the team’s final 13 regular-season games and went 6-7, throwing for 3,408 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Tre Ford started the first five, going 1-4, and threw for 984 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.

The Elks ranked ninth in net offence, ninth in net defence, and fifth with a turnover differential of plus-four. The club’s leading rusher was Justin Rankin with 1,013 yards, leading receiver was Kaion Julien-Grant with 820 yards, and leading tackler was Joel Dublanko with 80 tackles. Edmonton finished seventh in attendance with average crowds of 19,050, which was a 7.1 percent decrease from the previous year.