The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have moved on from defensive back Shilo Sanders following his ejection during a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Last Saturday, Sanders was dismissed from the game after throwing a punch at a Bills player, leading to a fine of $4,669 for his actions, as reported by ESPN.
The 25-year-old’s NFL future is uncertain now that he hasn’t secured a spot with the Buccaneers or any practice teams since his release. Shilo Sanders is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado’s head coach, Deion Sanders. His brother, Chedur Sanders, is listed as the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns after being picked in the fifth round of the April NFL Draft; however, Shilo went undrafted and later signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent.
Before his release, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles had praised Sanders for his effort on special teams and overall aggression on the field. “He’s very aggressive, young, and hungry,” Bowles had said, emphasizing the importance of Sanders showing up to compete.
Bowles also remarked that behaviors like throwing punches are unacceptable in the league. “You can’t allow it, and they have to grow up,” he stated, highlighting the need for professionalism in the sport.
In a recent social media post, Sanders reflected on his experiences, mentioning that this phase could be a stepping stone for him. “I feel this is just part of my story to grow and do bigger and better things. Whether or not I find another team, I’m grateful for my time with the Buccaneers,” he shared. He also hinted at potential interests outside of football, such as music and modeling, while noting he’s in talks with agents for upcoming opportunities.
The Buccaneers are looking ahead to their regular season, opening against the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons on September 7th.
