Jarrell Broxton

[SammyGreene]

First of all I would like to acknowledge the terrific work of the 3 Down Nation team of Justin Dunk, John Hodge and JC Abbott. They have done an outstanding job with their site, generating stories year round and you know they are not making a ton of money doing it.
https://3downnation.com/

One of their best annual features is top paid players in the league by position. Given the league does not disclose salaries, they must be getting this info from player agents and some GMs. This does lead to some players slipping thru the cracks.

Thanks to their work we now know Jarrell Broxton is one of the top paid lineman in the league. He signed an extension with the Lions prior to the start of the 2024 season although oddly it was never announced by the club. It is mentioned in his player bio but is nowhere on their transaction page.
With Sukh Chungh not re-signed it means the Lions 2 highest paid players on the o-line are their American tackles.

Interesting to note is Hladik and Auclair rank among the highest paid LBs in the league and both are likely playing behind Woods and Awe.

Here are some of the top paid Lions in the league by position:

1) Nathan Rourke, B.C. Lions (N)
Hard money: $624,200
Maximum value: $624,200
The 26-year-old blew up the CFL QB market when he signed back with B.C. last August. At the time, Rourke inked a three-year pact for $749,200 in hard money in 2025, including $200,000 in marketing money, which does not count against the league’s salary cap.
That structure from late last summer would have lowered his salary cap hit to $549,200 in 2025. After reworking his deal, he’s scheduled to earn $624,200 in hard money with $200,000 in marketing. Rourke’s salary cap number for this season checks in at $424,200.

2) Mathieu Betts, B.C. Lions (N)
Hard money: $260,000
Maximum value: $266,000
The 30-year-old native of Montreal, Que. collected a $75,000 offseason roster bonus on Jan. 15 and will earn an additional $170,300 in base salary in 2025. The rest of his compensation comes in the form of $14,700 in housing money and $6,000 of all-star and awards incentives. Betts was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player the last time he played a CFL full season, so expectations will be sky-high this year.

2) Justin McInnis, B.C. Lions (N)
Hard money: $250,000
Maximum value: $256,000
The native of Pierrefonds, Que. had a career year in 2024 when he led the entire CFL in receiving yardage, becoming the first Canadian player to do so since Andy Fantuz in 2010. The 28-year-old got a $100,000 signing bonus to remain with the Lions and will also earn $111,000 in base salary, $25,000 for reporting to training camp and passing his physical, and $14,000 in housing money. McInnis can also earn $6,000 in all-star and award incentives.


7) Dejon Allen, B.C. Lions (A)
Hard money: $210,000
Maximum value: $217,500
The 30-year-old blocker received a $25,000 offseason roster bonus on Feb. 1 and will make another $158,200 in base salary, $13,800 in housing money, $5,000 in marketing money, a $4,000 training allowance, and a $4,000 travel bonus in 2025. Allen can also receive $7,500 in awards incentives, including $5,000 if he’s named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, an award he won in 2023. The native of Compton, Calif. was traded to B.C. from Toronto in January.

13) Jarell Broxton, B.C. Lions (A)
Hard money: $180,000
Maximum value: $187,000
The 32-year-old native of Olney, Md. collected a $40,000 offseason roster bonus on Feb. 1 and will earn an additional $108,000 in base salary, $14,700 in housing money, $5,300 in marketing money, and a $2,000 travel allowance. Broxton will also receive $10,000 when he reports to training camp and passes his physical plus a potential $7,000 in all-star and awards incentives. Broxton has been B.C.’s starter at left tackle since 2023.

14) Jevon Cottoy, B.C. Lions (N)
Hard money: $166,300
Maximum value: $201,300
The 28-year-old received a $30,000 offseason roster bonus on Feb. 1 to return for a sixth season in Vancouver. Cottoy will also make $112,500 in base salary, $13,800 in housing money, and $10,000 in marketing money this season. The six-foot-five, 245-pound target will also receive a $30,000 bonus the first time he dresses for a regular-season game, plus $5,000 in other potential all-star and awards incentives.


6) Ben Hladik, B.C. Lions (N)
Hard money: $145,000
Maximum value: $151,000
With the addition of Micah Awe and the return of Josh Woods — neither of whom cracked this list — Hladik is not guaranteed to be a full-time starter with the Lions next year. They are still paying him like one though, beginning with a $25,000 off-season bonus that cashed in February. The Vernon, B.C. native is making another $10,000 in marketing money and has escalating incentives of $1,000 for a divisional all-star, $2,000 for All-CFL, and $3,000 for a major award win.

1) Sean Whyte, B.C. Lions (N) 
Hard money: $140,000
Maximum value: $143,000
The back-to-back runner-up for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player received a $30,000 bonus shortly after signing his new deal in B.C. and will make another $10,000 in marketing money. The 39-year-old can also collect incentives of $1,000 for a divisional all-star selection and $2,000 for an All-CFL nod.

8. Adam Auclair, B.C. Lions (N)
Hard money: $131,500
Maximum value: $150,000
The Lions are sure paying a premium for Canadian linebackers despite the fact that they may not start one. Auclair received a $20,000 signing bonus to become the de facto replacement for Bo Lokombo in the rotation and can earn up to $12,500 in playtime incentives if he’s on the field for the majority of defensive snaps in every game, plus another $6,000 in all-star and award bonuses.


11) Garry Peters, B.C. Lions (A)
Hard money: $138,500
Maximum value: $146,500
At 33 years old, Peters may be on the back nine of his career but he still commanded a $50,000 signing bonus to return as the Lions’ longest tenured player. His contract includes $2,000 in marketing money, plus a $3,000 bonus for winning a major award and $5,000 if he is selected All-CFL for the third time in four years.

11) RB James Butler, B.C. Lions (A)
Hard money: $103,800
Maximum value: $119,800
The 30-year-old received a $10,000 signing bonus and can earn a $5,000 first-time active roster bonus. If Butler rushes for $1,000 yards he collects $5,000. There are $6,000 in all-star and award incentives available.

Not ranked by still among highest paid Lions: Dwayne Hendrix ($154,000), Keon Hatcher ($150,000), Josh Woods ($125,000), Deontai Williams ($118,000).

Would sure like to know what is going on with Alex Hollins since the Lions had to pay his $75,000 bonus.

[DanoT]

Does the James Butler signing represent an increase vs what Stanback made in 2024?

[B.C.FAN]

Does the James Butler signing represent an increase vs what Stanback made in 2024?

Butler's contract is similar to his deal in Hamilton last year and probably a bit less than what Stanback earned with the Lions. According to 3downnation, Stanback’s contract last year had a base of $99,800 but bonuses likely pushed his earnings close to the maximum contract value of $125,800.

Oddly, Stanback’s 2024 contract maximum was the third highest among Lion running backs after David Mackie ($131,000) and late-season acquisition Jeshrun Antwi ($130,000), both of whom are now gone.

https://3downnation.com/2024/05/08/the- ... 24-season/

[David]

Phew! I am somewhat relieved. When I saw the heading, I went into panic mode as I thought this was about an injury or off-season transgression, lol. I am being serious.

Broxton's contract? I'd say, "worth it." He doesn't get enough credit IMO. I would rate him in the top third of left tackles in the league. I don't see him get cleanly beaten very often.

We saw how messy things can get when he missed 4 games last year due to injury. Plus, it's been somewhat of a revolving door for him with the left guard position since he's been here (e.g. Peirson, Knevel, Woodruff, Packer etc.).


DH

[Hambone]

I have been plugging the numbers into Excel breaking out the marketing money from hard money to get a truer picture of what the SMS impacts are versus total remuneration. Hodge did an excellent job breaking everything down; base salary, signing/roster bonues, housing allowances, travel allowances, training allowances, playtime/performance incentives/bonuses and finally marketing money. Dunk was OK being not as detailed as Hodge but much better than Abbott. Abbott's reporting came across as lazy compared to his peers. Few details beyond total hard money and lump sum for playtime incentives. Once in a while he'd include marketing money or reference to signing/roster bonuses. His efforts last year were much more thorough, similar to Hodge this year.

[SammyGreene]

I have been plugging the numbers into Excel breaking out the marketing money from hard money to get a truer picture of what the SMS impacts are versus total remuneration. Hodge did an excellent job breaking everything down; base salary, signing/roster bonues, housing allowances, travel allowances, training allowances, playtime/performance incentives/bonuses and finally marketing money. Dunk was OK being not as detailed as Hodge but much better than Abbott. Abbott's reporting came across as lazy compared to his peers. Few details beyond total hard money and lump sum for playtime incentives. Once in a while he'd include marketing money or reference to signing/roster bonuses. His efforts last year were much more thorough, similar to Hodge this year.

I figured you might be on top of this Hambone. This makes sense as the details on Cottoy's deal look much different than the previous year yet it's the exact same 3-year contract he signed in January 2024.


I'm still a little baffled at the money they are spending on Hladik and Auclair when they have decided to go with Woods and Awe ahead of them and the latter even has nationalized American status. I get they must really like Auclair to sign him and the Argos weren't interested in Hladik's salary when they got Varga on his rookie deal for Allen.

Wouldn't shock me if the Lions dangled Hladik as draft day trade bait to move up or get more picks, just don't know if there is a trading partner out there.

[OV:54-40]

I have been plugging the numbers into Excel breaking out the marketing money from hard money to get a truer picture of what the SMS impacts are versus total remuneration. Hodge did an excellent job breaking everything down; base salary, signing/roster bonues, housing allowances, travel allowances, training allowances, playtime/performance incentives/bonuses and finally marketing money. Dunk was OK being not as detailed as Hodge but much better than Abbott. Abbott's reporting came across as lazy compared to his peers. Few details beyond total hard money and lump sum for playtime incentives. Once in a while he'd include posting.php?mode=quote&p=429675&sid=41c ... #marketing money or reference to signing/roster bonuses. His efforts last year were much more thorough, similar to Hodge this year.

I figured you might be on top of this Hambone. This makes sense as the details on Cottoy's deal look much different than the previous year yet it's the exact same 3-year contract he signed in January 2024.


I'm still a little baffled at the money they are spending on Hladik and Auclair when they have decided to go with Woods and Awe ahead of them and the latter even has nationalized American status. I get they must really like Auclair to sign him and the Argos weren't interested in Hladik's salary when they got Varga on his rookie deal for Allen.

Wouldn't shock me if the Lions dangled Hladik as draft day trade bait to move up or get more picks, just don't know if there is a trading partner out there.

The Ticats started a rookie mid round draft pick Ryan Baker at MLB much of last season - thought he held up pretty well, but hardly a proven starter - they might be interested in Hladik.

The Stumps have an opening at MLB now but have a bunch of new import LBs signed for TC; doubt Davey sees a Canadian starting at MLB for them as part of his 7 only need apply plan.

Ottawa is likely rolling with vet, average at best Santos-Knox at MLB again; Hladik would be an upgrade IMO but doubt their coaching staff feels the same way.

The Bombers an iffy maybe for interest in Hladik; ex-Argo Jonathan Jones has been signed and maybe they have him pencilled-in for W-OLB, but Haldik is flat out the better inside LB talent IMO

[Hambone]

Wouldn't shock me if the Lions dangled Hladik as draft day trade bait to move up or get more picks, just don't know if there is a trading partner out there.

BC isn't so deep that they can afford to do that. Currently they have 11 LBs on the roster with some listed as DBs being potential SAM candidates.

Process of elimination says 2 are raw rookies in Lewis and Richardson with Mike Smith Jr having a cup of coffee during the PR expansion. They won't know until well into camp if they have some quality there which cuts it down to 8. 4 more fall into the primarily special teams but also depth category. They would be Konar, Messam, Ganyi and Rouyer. Suddenly you are down to Hladik, Auclair, Awe and Woods for WIL, SAM and the frequent rotations where all four might be on the field at the same time. Woods is recovering from a serious knee injury. It shouldn't be taken for granted that he will automatically be back to pre-injury form. IMO the raw numbers in themselves are OK but they're also only an injury away from being very thin for depth.