The Roughriders made Samuel Emilus the CFL's highest-paid Canadian receiver to keep him in Saskatchewan for two more seasons.
According to sources in the league with three relegations, 112th Gray Cup Most Valuable Canadian signed a two-year contract worth $285,000 in hard money through 2026. He's on track to earn $290,000 in hard money in 2027, including a guaranteed base salary of $100,000.
Emilus' new contract is believed to make him the highest-paid national pass catcher in the CFL salary cap era and possibly in league history. His agreement was negotiated by Ottawa agent Rob Fry.
Emilus was selected in the first round, seventh overall, in the 2022 CFL Draft. After registering 10 catches for 165 yards in his rookie year, the Montreal native has 70 receptions for 1,097 yards with eight touchdowns in 2023. He followed that up with 87 catches for 1,064 yards and five majors in 2024, earning Western Division All-Star honors.
The 28-year-old was limited to seven games due to foot and knee injuries during the 2025 regular season, making 37 receptions for 588 yards with two touchdowns. That works out to 84 receiving yards per game and extrapolates to 1,512 yards over a typical 18-game schedule.
Emilus showed strong results in the CFL playoffs. He made nine catches for 100 yards in a 24–21 Western final victory over the BC Lions and recorded 10 receptions for 108 yards in the 112th Gray Cup win over the Montreal Alouettes, earning MVC honors. In two postseason games, No. 19 had 19 catches for 208 yards.
The 6-foot, 200-pound pass catcher has developed into one of the top receivers in the CFL. Saskatchewan offensive coordinator Mark Muller called him “the best player in the league” after the Green and White lifted the Gray Cup and confetti fell at Princess Auto Stadium.
In a career 57 CFL regular-season games, all with the Roughriders, Emilus recorded 204 receptions for 2,914 yards, including 999 after the catch, 13 touchdowns with a 14.3 per-catch average. He played in four playoff games, recording 32 catches for 372 yards with one touchdown.
Emilus earned $168,200 for the 2025 regular season. And $23,000 bonus money after season. He has a chance to play with the Riders in 2026 and possibly play in the Gray Cup at Mosaic Stadium in 2027 when Saskatchewan hosts the CFL championship game.
