Shilo Sanders out of Tampa… what now?

In the NFL, having a famous last name doesn’t guarantee a contract. That’s a reality Shilo Sanders just learned the hard way. The oldest son of Deion Sanders went through a whirlwind weekend—he was ejected from a preseason game for throwing a punch, and just hours later, cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All in less than a day.

The incident happened during the game against the Buffalo Bills, where Shilo Sanders reacted violently after a scuffle with tight end Zach Davidson. The punch was thrown right in front of the referees, and the ejection came instantly. The NFL doesn’t tolerate that kind of behavior, and the timing couldn’t have been worse—it happened just before the mandatory roster cuts to 53 players. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles didn’t mince words: “You can’t throw punches in this league. It’s inexcusable.”

What’s next for Sanders

Now, Shilo Sanders faces serious uncertainty. According to Marca, there’s a chance another team might take interest in Shedeur Sanders’ older brother. The outlet mentioned the Los Angeles Chargers as a possible landing spot. But the odds don’t look great. The Chargers, led by Jim Harbaugh, have a solid secondary with Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, and reinforcements like Tony Jefferson and Elijah Molden. Plus, young talents like Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still have impressed during the preseason.

In less than 24 hours, rookie safety Shilo Sanders got ejected from a game and then waived from the Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/HcyUk5uv9e

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2025

Beyond the talent—which some analysts have labeled “mediocre”—what weighs most against Shilo Sanders is his attitude. He wasn’t selected in the draft, signed as an undrafted free agent, and failed to stand out at Colorado. On top of that, he’s still facing a $12 million civil lawsuit. In short: the Sanders name opens doors, but it doesn’t keep them open if the behavior doesn’t match.

Adrift

Now, Shilo Sanders enters the waiver process, where teams like the Titans or the Browns could claim him. Interestingly, Cleveland has Shedeur on its roster, which could offer a chance at family redemption.

With Shilo Sanders, it’s clear that NFL success isn’t just about pedigree. You have to prove it on every snap—and more importantly, keep your cool. If Shilo wants to stay in the league, he’ll need to reinvent himself. Because talent can be coached, but maturity can’t be faked.

Shilo Sanders has been waived by the Bucs and is no longer on an NFL roster, per @AdamSchefter

His agents are “hoping he gets claimed on waivers” pic.twitter.com/HrMO3JZb7A

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 24, 2025