The Calgary Stampeders operate under the CFL’s $6.065 million salary cap for 2025, representing a $412,000 increase from 2024’s $5.525 million cap driven by league revenue growth.
Calgary’s roster features receiver Reggie Begelton earning $203,000 as their highest-paid position player after former quarterback Jake Maier departed to Saskatchewan following the team’s 5-12-1 last-place finish.
Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson leads the organization in his 17th season on staff, balancing competitive veteran contracts with cost-controlled Canadian talent under the league’s strict hard cap.
Learn more about the Calgary Stampeders players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| Quarterbacks (QB) | Running Backs (RB) | Wide Receivers (WR) |
| Vernon Adams Jr. | Dedrick Mills | Reggie Begelton |
| Josh Love | Jeshrun Antwi | Dominique Rhymes |
| Tevin Jones | ||
| Jalen Philpot | ||
| Damien Alford | ||
| Clark Barnes |
Estimated Top 5 Highest-Paid Calgary Stampeders Players
| Rank | Player | Position | Est. Salary (CAD) | Contract Type | Notes |
| 1 | Reggie Begelton | Receiver | $203,000 | Through 2026 | 3x All-CFL, $52K signing bonus |
| 2 | Dedrick Mills | Running Back | $180,000 | Multi-year | Est. based on position avg |
| 3 | Folarin Orimolade | Defensive End | $165,000 | Through 2026 | Extended Jan 2025 |
| 4 | Jalen Philpot | Receiver | $165,000 | Through 2025 | $40K signing bonus |
| 5 | Bryce Bell | Running Back | $155,000 | Multi-year | Est. veteran RB salary |
Reggie Begelton’s $203,000 total compensation ranks 8th among CFL receivers league-wide, with his $114,300 base salary supplemented by $52,000 signing bonus, $15,000 marketing money, $14,700 housing allowance, and performance incentives.
The 31-year-old Beaumont, Texas native earned his third All-CFL selection in 2024 catching 92 passes for 1,150 yards, making him Calgary’s most valuable offensive weapon after Maier’s departure.
Calgary’s salary distribution shifted dramatically following Jake Maier’s trade to Saskatchewan, eliminating their highest-paid position at quarterback which typically commands $450,000-550,000 range.
The Stampeders allocated savings toward extending Begelton through 2026 and signing defensive end Folarin Orimolade, demonstrating rebuild-mode strategy focusing on proven veterans rather than expensive quarterback play.
Calgary Stampeders Coaching Staff & Management
Dave Dickenson serves as both head coach and general manager earning estimated $250,000-350,000 CAD annually, though exact figures remain undisclosed as the team maintains salary privacy.
His dual role saves Calgary approximately $150,000-200,000 versus hiring separate GM and head coach, a common cost-cutting measure among smaller-market CFL teams.
Dickenson’s 95-60-3 regular season record (.611 winning percentage) includes one Grey Cup championship in 2018, though recent struggles represent Calgary’s first playoff miss in 20 years.
His contract extends through the 2020s with performance bonuses tied to playoff appearances and Grey Cup success.
Assistant coach salaries range $80,000-120,000 CAD annually, with offensive and defensive coordinators earning upper range while position coaches and special teams staff receive lower compensation.
Calgary’s total coaching staff budget estimated at $1.2-1.5 million represents mid-tier CFL spending, trailing Toronto and Saskatchewan but exceeding Edmonton and Ottawa.
How CFL Salaries Work at Calgary Stampeders
The CFL’s $6.065 million hard salary cap for 2025 increased 7.5% from 2024 driven by record attendance and gameday revenue growth. Calgary allocates approximately 60-65% of cap space to American imports who typically earn $120,000-200,000 versus Canadian nationals averaging $80,000-110,000 annually.
CFL Salary Structure Breakdown:
- Minimum salary: $70,000 CAD (rookies), $82,000 (veterans)
- Average salary: $110,000-120,000 CAD
- Top tier players: $180,000-250,000 CAD
- Elite quarterbacks: $450,000-625,000 CAD (league-wide)
- Housing allowance: $14,700 standard
- Only 4-6 players per roster earn above $180,000
Calgary distributes cap space strategically: approximately 8-10% on quarterback (lower than league average after Maier departure), 25-30% on offensive skill positions including Begelton’s receiver corps, and 35-40% on defensive starters.
The remaining 20-25% covers special teams and depth players. This balanced approach contrasts quarterback-heavy strategies employed by Toronto (Chad Kelly $615,000) and BC (Nathan Rourke $624,200).
Reggie Begelton Contract Breakdown
Reggie Begelton signed a two-year extension through 2026 including $52,000 signing bonus, Calgary’s largest upfront payment to a non-quarterback position.
His $114,300 base salary ranks 8th among CFL receivers, supplemented by $15,000 marketing compensation for promotional appearances and $14,700 housing allowance covering Calgary’s cost of living.
Performance incentives allow Begelton earning maximum $209,000 through $6,000 All-CFL bonuses, playoff roster bonuses, and Grey Cup appearance payments.
His 2024 season totaling 92 catches for 1,150 yards triggered automatic escalators increasing 2025 base salary by approximately $8,000 from original contract terms.
Begelton’s four-year Calgary career includes 421 receptions for 5,595 yards and 28 touchdowns across 86 games, representing $1.2 million+ cumulative earnings since his 2021 return from a Green Bay Packers stint.
His veteran presence anchors Calgary’s receiving corps while mentoring younger Canadians like Jalen Philpot earning $165,000.
Financial Reality for Calgary Stampeders Players
Average Calgary Stampeders salary approximates $110,000-120,000 CAD (roughly $80,000-88,000 USD), requiring most players to maintain off-season employment. Typical positions include coaching high school football, personal training, sales positions, or construction work during the CFL’s November-May offseason.
Calgary’s cost of living creates additional financial pressure with average rent exceeding $2,000 monthly, consuming 20-25% of rookie salaries despite $14,700 housing stipends.
Only veteran stars like Begelton ($203,000) and Mills ($180,000 estimated) earn sufficient year-round income avoiding secondary employment. Players remain in CFL versus pursuing NFL opportunities due to guaranteed contracts, Canadian citizenship pathways, and established family roots in Alberta.
The NFL practice squad pays $216,000 USD but lacks security compared to CFL’s guaranteed deals. Jake Maier’s four-year Calgary tenure earned approximately $1.8-2.0 million before his Saskatchewan trade, representing stable income comparable to middle-class Canadian professions.
FAQs
How much does Reggie Begelton make?
Reggie Begelton earns $203,000 total compensation for 2025 through 2026, including $114,300 base salary, $52,000 signing bonus, $15,000 marketing money, and $14,700 housing allowance as Calgary’s highest-paid player.
What is the CFL salary cap?
The CFL salary cap is $6.065 million CAD per team for 2025, a $412,000 increase from 2024. This represents a hard cap with no exceptions, forcing equal competitive balance across all nine teams.
Can Calgary Stampeders players make a living year-round?
Most Stampeders need off-season jobs earning $70,000-120,000 annually. Only 4-6 top earners like Begelton ($203,000) make sufficient income avoiding secondary employment during the November-May offseason.
Why did Jake Maier leave Calgary?
Jake Maier was traded to Saskatchewan after Calgary’s 5-12-1 last-place finish in 2024. The Stampeders are rebuilding with cost-controlled talent rather than paying veteran quarterback salary in the $450,000-550,000 range.
