CFL officials believe Canadian wide receiver Samuel Emilus could earn about $250,000 if he hits the open market in February, but if Trevor Harris returns to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, his decision to become a free agent would be reversed.
The most valuable Canadian, ranked 112th in the Gray Cup rankings, responded decisively when asked how much, on a scale of one to 10, Harris' Possible Option to Re-Sign with the Riders would encourage him to sign a contract extension with the Green and Whites.
“20-20 out of 10,” Emilus said. “Trevor is great. HOURhe needs to decide whether he wants to continue playing and Come back. Whatever decision he makes, I will support him. because he is my friend first and my teammate second. From here I support him, and whatever decision he makes, I support him.”
Harris, 39, will never tell anyone who his favorite target is on a particular team, but it's clear he and Emilus have a next-level rapport when the pair take the field together. The 28-year-old posted 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2023 and 2024 before posting 588 yards in seven regular-season games in 2025.
“Would you like to keep eeveryone on this team. It has been proven that this is a championship team. Would you we like to keep everyone, but we all also know the business aspect of it, which is what the guys deserve to be paid, that's fair. It's up to general manager Jeremy O'Day to figure that out,” Emilus said.
The 28-year-old does not feel any further uncertainty about his football future as he awaits free agent status. Perhaps his performance in the CFL championship match… 10 receptions for 108 yards — gave him extra confidence heading into a key offseason in which he could cash in.
“I know I will I play in the league. I'm going to talk to my agent, see what's on the table, talk to him well and we’ll go from there,” Emilus said.
“We all know that every year is a different year, but senior management must keep the same core – or at least try to keep the same kernel “Keep the same mentality and leadership.”
The Roughriders selected Emilus in the first round, seventh overall, in the 2022 CFL Draft and he paid dividends to Saskatchewan. In 2025, he earned $168,200.but more money will be needed to keep him in the Green and Whites until 2026, and possibly beyond.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders finished atop the West Division standings in 2025 with a 12-6 record, finishing first in the West Division for the first time since 2019. The team then defeated the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Gray Cup in Winnipeg, the team's first championship in 12 years. Trevor Harris went 11-5 as a starter, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
The Roughriders ranked second in net offense, second in net defense and third in turnover differential of plus eight. The club's leading rusher was AJ Ouellette with 1,222 yards, the leading receiver was KeSean Johnson with 1,159 yards, and the leading tackler was AJ Allen with 91 tackles. Saskatchewan ranked second in attendance with an average attendance of 28,427, up 2.7 per cent from the previous year.
