Winnipeg Blue Bombers defenseman Zach Collaros entered the new year with a $100,000 offseason bonus.
The 37-year-old will receive another $100,000 on January 15. His base salary for the 2026 CFL season will be $400,000, bringing his total earnings for the year to $600,000. The 13-year veteran ranks third among the league's highest-paid QBs, behind Nathan Rourke ($684,000) and Chad Kelly ($625,000) for the upcoming season.
Collaros completed 72.5 percent of his passes for 3,048 yards with 17 touchdowns to 16 interceptions in 2025. He also rushed 18 times for 130 yards, 7.2 per carry with one big hit. He started 13 regular season games, posting a 6–7 win-loss record as the Blue and Gold went 10–8 and earned a berth in the Eastern Division playoffs.
In 171 games — 143 starts — the six-foot-one, 218-pound quarterback posted an 89-54 win-loss record, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 35,983 yards. 15th place all-time — with 216 touchdowns against 117 interceptions. He also carried the ball 261 times for 1,453 yards, 5.6 per carry and 11 touchdowns.
The Steubenville, Ohio native won three Gray Cups, two as a starter, led the CFL in passing yards three times, won two Most Outstanding Player awards and was named a league all-star twice. He played in 77 games for the Blue Bombers, throwing for 19,165 yards and 126 touchdowns with 66 interceptions.
Winnipeg opens the 2026 CFL regular season on the road against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, June 5 at McMahon Stadium. Collaros is looking to lead the Bombers to the Gray Cup for the sixth time in seven seasons.
