![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SeanWhyte-scaled.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto courtesy: Paul Yates\/B.C. Lions<\/p>\n
I bet you thought we\u2019d forgotten!<\/p>\n
Punters are people, too. And so are placekickers, returners, and long snappers. By popular demand, we\u2019ve added a special late edition to our highest-paid CFL player series<\/a>, highlighting the top specialists in this kicker-crazy league.<\/p>\n Please use these links to check out our positional breakdowns of each group: quarterbacks<\/a>,\u00a0running backs<\/a>,\u00a0fullbacks<\/a>,\u00a0receivers<\/a>,\u00a0offensive linemen<\/a>,\u00a0defensive linemen<\/a>,\u00a0linebackers<\/a>, and\u00a0defensive backs<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHard money\u201d 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 \u201cnon-football-related services,\u201d isn\u2019t always guaranteed, though we\u2019ve decided to include it in hard money for this series.<\/p>\n Any additional components \u2014 often referred to as \u201cplaytime\u201d or \u201cperformance incentives\u201d \u2014 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\u2019re named an all-star.<\/p>\n \u201cN\u201d denotes National players (ie. Canadians), \u201cA\u201d denotes American players, and \u201cG\u201d denotes Global players.<\/p>\n Kickers\/Punters<\/p>\n Photo courtesy: Winnipeg Blue Bombers<\/p>\n 1) Sergio Castillo, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $140,000 Castillo received a $40,000 signing bonus as part of his new contract in January, on top of a $70,000 salary, $15,000 for housing, and $15,000 in marketing money. The 35-year-old can take home bonuses of $1,000 for a divisional all-star selection, $2,000 for an All-CFL selection, and $3,000 each for Most Outstanding Player wins in up to three categories \u2014 however unlikely that might be for a kicker.<\/p>\n 2) Sean Whyte, B.C. Lions (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $140,000 Whyte initially set the top of the market that Castillo was able to match, collecting a $30,000 signing bonus early in the new year. The 40-year-old is also due $90,000 in salary, $15,000 for housing, and $5,000 in marketing money, plus standard incentives of $1,000 for becoming a divisional all-star, $2,000 for being named All-CFL, and $3,000 for winning a Most Outstanding Player award.<\/p>\n 3) Rene Paredes, Calgary Stampeders (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $130,000 This might be Paredes\u2019 swan song season, but the 41-year-old is still performing and being paid like an elite player. He received a $7,000 signing bonus to rework his deal in December and collected another $5,000 on February 15, with $91,000 due in salary, a $2,000 travel allowance, and $25,000 in marketing money. The veteran will also make $1,000 for a divisional all-star selection and team award nomination, with $2,000 coming if he is named All-CFL or wins a Most Outstanding Player award.<\/p>\n 4) Marc Liegghio, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $116,500 Liegghio\u2019s salary is set at $78,300 for next season, but he already collected an $11,000 offseason bonus on January 1. The 29-year-old is entitled to $14,700 for housing and $12,500 in marketing money, and can make an extra $300 for every game in which he handles all three kicking duties. He also has incentives of $2,000 tied to field goal rates of 85 (min. 40 attempts), 88 (min. 30 attempts), and 90 percent (min. 30 attempts).<\/p>\n 5) Lirim Hajrullahu, Toronto Argonauts (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $107,500 Arguably the league\u2019s best kicker last season may be the best value on this list, as Hajrullahu received a $10,000 offseason bonus on February 1 and will make $76,200 in salary, with $13,800 for housing, a $5,000 training allowance, and a $2,500 travel allowance. He\u2019ll earn another $10,000 after his first kick of the season and can make $500 for every game in which he handles all kicking duties,\u00a0 with incentives of $1,500 for leading the CFL in scoring, $2,500 for finishing top three in field goal percentage (min. 30 attempts), and $2,5oo for finishing top three in net punting (min. 50 attempts). The 36-year-old will also make $1,000 for a divisional all-star selection, $2,000 for being named All-CFL, and $2,500 for winning a Most Outstanding Player award.<\/p>\n Photo courtesy: Edmonton Elks<\/p>\n 6) Jake Julien, Edmonton Elks (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $103,500 The punter market has been artificially deflated by the CFL\u2019s Global program, but a premier Canadian still tops the position group. Julien will earn $73,000 in salary and collected a $7,500 offseason bonus on February 1, with $15,000 for housing, a $2,000 travel allowance, and $6,000 in marketing money. He\u2019ll also make an additional $2,000 if he makes the All-CFL team.<\/p>\n 7) John Haggerty, Toronto Argonauts (G)<\/p>\n Hard money: $100,000 The highest-paid Global specialist in the league, Haggerty made $10,000 when he reported to training camp and has another $70,000 in salary coming, plus a $15,000 travel allowance and $5,000 in marketing money. The Aussie can make another $2,000 for an All-CFL selection and will receive a $200 bump for every special teams tackle he makes.<\/p>\n 8) Jamieson Sheahan, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (G)<\/p>\n Hard money: $100,000 Sheahan took home a $5,000 signing bonus when he inked his new deal in January. He\u2019ll earn $70,000 in salary this year, plus $15,000 for housing and $10,000 in marketing money.<\/p>\n 9) Joseph Zema, Montreal Alouettes (G)<\/p>\n Hard money: $97,000 Montreal\u2019s Aussie punter has been among the league\u2019s best since he was drafted and continues to be well compensated, cashing a $5,000 report and pass bonus at the start of training camp. He\u2019ll make $71,580 in salary, $15,420 for housing, $2,000 in marketing money, and a $3,000 travel allowance. Zema\u2019s incentives include $1,000 for leading the division in net punting (min. 30 attempts), $2,000 for leading the league in the same category, $1,000 for a divisional all-star nod, and $2,000 for being named All-CFL.<\/p>\n 10) Jose Maltos Diaz, Montreal Alouettes (G)<\/p>\n Hard money: $93,500 Montreal rode to the Grey Cup last year off the foot of their Mexican placekicker, who received a $2,500 signing bonus to remain with the team this offseason and collected another $5,000 when he reported to training camp. Maltos will earn $70,580 in salary, plus $15,420 for housing. He has bonuses of $2,500 for making over 85 percent of his kick and $5,500 for connecting on over 90 percent, with up to $6,000 in standard escalating award and all-star incentives.<\/p>\n 11) Brett Lauther, Ottawa Redblacks (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $92,500 After a rocky 2025 season led to his release by Saskatchewan, Lauther landed on his feet with the Redblacks. He\u2019ll earn $70,000 in salary, $16,000 for housing, a $4,000 travel allowance, and $2,500 in marketing money, plus a $5,000 bonus after his first game with Ottawa. He can also make $2,500 each for surpassing 82 and 87 percent on his kicks, plus up to $6,000 in standard escalating award and all-star incentives.<\/p>\n Kick returners<\/p>\n Photo courtesy: CFL.ca<\/p>\n 1) Kalil Pimpleton, Ottawa Redblacks (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $135,000 Pimpleton is a starting calibre deep threat and one of the game\u2019s most electric returners, which earns him a little extra cheddar. The 27-year-old is due $92,800 in salary, $14,700 for housing, and $7,500 in marketing money, but already collected $20,000 when he reported to training camp. He also has up to $6,000 in standard escalating award and all-star incentives.<\/p>\n 2) Javon Leake, Edmonton Elks (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $135,000 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.<\/p>\n 3) James Letcher Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $125,300 The Montreal Alouettes elected to move on from Letcher this offseason, but Saskatchewan clearly prioritized his acquisition by offering a $30,000 signing bonus. The 26-year-old will also receive $75,000 in salary, $15,300 for housing, a $3,000 tavel allowance, and $2,000 in marketing money. He\u2019ll earn another $300 for every game in which he plays at least 51 percent of the offensive snaps, $1,000 for leading the division in punt return yards, and $1,000 for finishing top two in CFL punt return yardage, plus $1,000 for a divisional all-star, $2,000 if he is named All-CFL, and $2,000 for a Most Outstanding Player award win.<\/p>\n 4) Janarion Grant, Toronto Argonauts (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $120,300 The 2024 Most Outstanding Special Teams Player re-signed with the Argos late in the process, receiving a $25,000 signing bonus. The 32-year-old will make $80,00 in salary and $15,300 for housing, with incentives of $1,000 for leading the division in special teams touchdowns and $1,500 for leading the league. He can make $1,000 for each level of all-star recognition, and $2,000 for both divisional and league award wins.<\/p>\n 5) DeVonte Dedmon, Montreal Alouettes (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $119,500 Dedmon received a $12,500 signing bonus to head to Montreal after his release by the Redblacks. The 2021 Most Outstanding Special Teams Player is due $82,080 in salary, $15,420 for housing, a $4,500 travel allowance, and $5,000 in marketing money. The 30-year-old will make $2,000 if he leads the division or league in either kickoff or punt return yards, totalling up to $8,000, with another $1,000 for becoming a divisional all-star and $2,000 for an All-CFL selection.<\/p>\n 6) Peyton Logan, Toronto Argonauts (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $95,300 Should Logan be included on this list, with Grant expected to handle the primary return duties in Toronto? Maybe not, but his significant return-based incentives and prior experience forced his inclusion. The 27-year-old collected a $5,000 signing bonus in free agency and will earn $75,000 in salary and $15,300 for housing, plus an additional $9,000 if he plays at least 51 percent of the team\u2019s offensive snaps. He\u2019ll also make $1,500 for being the sole leader in kickoff or punt return yards at the divisional level, $2,500 for the same accomplishment league-wide, $3,000 for being a divisional award finalist in any one category, and $5,000 if he wins that award.<\/p>\n Photo: Winnipeg Blue Bombers<\/p>\n 7) Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $95,000 The CFL\u2019s reigning Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and Most Outstanding Rookie got a new contract extension this offseason after failing to secure an NFL opportunity, receiving a $5,000 signing bonus. Vaval is due $75,000 in salary and $15,000 for housing, with bonuses of $1,000 for both a divisional all-star and All-CFL selection, as well as $2,000 bumps for divisional or league award wins in up to three categories at each level.<\/p>\n 8) Mario Alford, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $92,500 At 34 years old, Alford is starting fresh in Hamilton, receiving a $2,500 signing bonus as well as $72,580 in salary, $15,420 for housing, and a $2,000 travel allowance. The 2023 Most Outstanding Special Teams Player will receive lump sums of $2,500 after playing one, nine, and 12 games, with performance incentives of $1,000 for leading the division in kickoff or punt return yards, and $2,000 for leading the CFL in either category. He will also make $500 for every special teams touchdown he scores, with another $6,000 available in standard escalating award and all-star incentives.<\/p>\n 9) Tyreik McAllister, Calgary Stampeders (A)<\/p>\n Hard money: $81,500 McAllister didn\u2019t receive a signing bonus upon his return from the NFL, but his deal with the Stampeders includes significant playtime incentives. The 28-year-old will make $74,000 in salary, $2,500 for housing, and $5,000 in marketing money, with a $1,500 bonus for playing 10 games and $1,000 after 12, 14, and 16 games. He\u2019ll collect $277.77 for every game in which he plays 51 percent or more of the offensive stats, with incentives of $500 for surpassing 500 rushing yards or 50 receptions. On special teams, the native of Latta, S.C., can earn $1,500 each for being the sole divisional leader in kickoff or punt return yards, with bonuses of $2,500 for leading the league in the same categories.<\/p>\n Long snappers<\/p>\n Photo: Reuben Polansky\/3DownNation. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n 1) Louis-Philippe Bourassa, Montreal Alouettes (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $105,000 At 34 years old, Bourassa stands alone as the CFL\u2019s highest-paid long snapper. He already received a $5,300 offseason bonus on January 15, and stands to collect $70,000 in salary, $14,700 in housing, and $15,000 in marketing money.<\/p>\n 2) Gordon Whyte, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $96,000 The 28-year-old deal contains $75,580 in salary, $15,420 for housing, and $5,000 in marketing money.<\/p>\n 3) Luke Burton-Krahn, Edmonton Elks (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $93,000 Burton-Krahn received a $2,000 offseason bonus on February 1 and will collect $71,500 in salary, $14,500 for housing, and $5,000 in marketing money. The 27-year-old can earn another $6,000 in standard escalating award and all-star incentives.<\/p>\n 4) Adam Guillemette, Toronto Argonauts (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $93,000 The youngest snapper on this list at 25, Guillemette will make $77,580 in salary this season with another $15,420 for housing.<\/p>\n 5)\u00a0Peter Adjey, Ottawa Redblacks (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $90,200<\/p>\n Maximum value: $96,200<\/p>\n Adjey\u2019s deal includes $70,500 in salary, $14,700 for housing, and $5,000 in marketing money. The 26-year-old can earn another $6,000 in standard escalating award and all-star incentives.<\/p>\n 6)\u00a0Aaron Crawford, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)<\/p>\n Hard money: $83,000 The 39-year-old Crawford is looking to revive his career after a serious knee injury last season, signing in Saskatchewan for $70,000 in salary with $10,000 for housing and $1,000 in marketing money. He received $2,000 for reporting to training camp and will earn $166.67 for every game he plays, with all-star incentives of $2,000 at the divisional level and $3,ooo at the league level.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t J.C. Abbott is a University of British Columbia graduate and high school football coach. He covers the CFL, B.C. Lions, CFL Draft and the three-down league’s Global initiative.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Sergio.jpeg\")
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Maximum value: $152,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $146,000<\/p>\n
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Maximum value: $127,900<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $139,000<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Julien-e1766183882349.jpeg\")
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Maximum value: $105,500<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $102,000+<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $100,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $103,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $107,500<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $108,500<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Kalil.jpeg\")
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Maximum value: $141,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $140,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $137,700<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $128,800<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $130,500<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $122,300<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2025-08-05-at-10.25.50-AM.png\")
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Maximum value: $109,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $112,000+<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $100,000<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/R_P00483-scaled.jpg\")
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Maximum value: $105,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $96,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $99,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $93,000<\/p>\n
Maximum value: $91,000<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/R_P00221-150x150.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/3downnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3DownNation-Wordmark-v3-3.svg\"\/)
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Photo courtesy: Paul Yates\/B.C. Lions I bet you thought we\u2019d forgotten! Punters are people, too. And so are…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":689103,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[166835,166836,183579,252074,69896,49,48,7028,521,522,520,183539,527,252075,168937,252076,183580,176026,114898,110756,252077,141825,252078,40646,144333,2002,40644,183582,252079,252080,252081,69895,252082,173116,176027,252083,183583,169043,114894,127582,82,93659,177038],"class_list":["post-689102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cfl","tag-3down","tag-3downnation","tag-aaron-crawford","tag-adam-guillemette","tag-brett-lauther","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-canadian","tag-canadian-football-league","tag-canadianfootballleague","tag-cfl","tag-devonte-dedmon","tag-football","tag-gordon-whyte","tag-highest-paid","tag-jake-julien","tag-james-letcher-jr","tag-jamieson-sheahan","tag-janarion-grant","tag-javon-leake","tag-john-haggerty","tag-jose-maltos-diaz","tag-joseph-zema","tag-kalil-pimpleton","tag-kicker","tag-league","tag-lirim-hajrullahu","tag-long-snapper","tag-louis-philippe-bourassa","tag-luke-burton-krahn","tag-marc-liegghio","tag-mario-alford","tag-peter-adjey","tag-peyton-logan","tag-punter","tag-rene-paredes","tag-returner","tag-sean-whyte","tag-sergio-castillo","tag-specialists","tag-sports","tag-trey-vaval","tag-tyreik-mcallister"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/689102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=689102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/689102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/689103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=689102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=689102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=689102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}