Shilo Sanders Shuts Door on Buccaneers Return After Cut With New Career Message

Shilo Sanders handled his release from Tampa Bay with class, issuing a carefully crafted statement after a preseason incident. The Buccaneers ejected him immediately after one stupid moment of rage during exhibition play, then waived him off the very next day. And what did Shilo do? He left the team behind, saying, “I feel like this is just part of my story to grow and do bigger and better things. Whether it’s finding another team or getting another opportunity in the NFL.” And now, again, he has finally closed his NFL chapter (at least for now) on a firm note.

Shilo was all love for the Bucs when they drafted him. He had mentioned, “The Bucs was the first team to call and they gave me a chance before anyone. So I’m forever grateful to the Buccaneers.” Little did he know, just a few months later, he’d be learning the hard way that the NFL is a brutal business. Shilo Sanders officially shut the door on Tampa Bay on Tuesday when fans noticed he unfollowed the Buccaneers‘ Instagram page. The move came after his NFL dreams crumbled following that preseason punch against Buffalo. The unfollow represented more than petty social media drama; it signaled Sanders’ closing one door while desperately searching for another to open. But closing doors became the least of his mounting problems this week.

The financial hits kept piling up for Sanders beyond just losing his roster spot. Adam Schefter reported that the NFL fined him $4,669 for punching Zach Davidson during Saturday’s preseason game. The fine added insult to injury for a player who went from battling for a practice squad position to becoming unemployed in less than 24 hours. And his team made it clear that they weren’t backing Shilo after that punch. Todd Bowles delivered the harsh reality check, saying, “You can’t throw punches in this league. It’s inexcusable. They’re gonna get you every time. You gotta grow from that.” The message couldn’t have been clearer about Sanders’ self-inflicted career damage.

Sanders also posted a YouTube video addressing his situation with surprising honesty. He thanked the Buccaneers while acknowledging the long odds he faced from the beginning. “Y’all know I’m lucky to even get a shot. Y’all saw what happened with Shedeur, so I knew what was going to happen to me going undrafted,” he said, referencing his brother’s draft experience. His reputation as a dirty player from Colorado had followed him to Tampa Bay, making the punch even more damaging to his NFL prospects. But what’s next for him?

The Toronto Argonauts acquired Sanders’ negotiating rights, offering a potential lifeline in the Canadian Football League. Toronto also holds his brother Shedeur’s rights, creating an intriguing family reunion possibility north of the border. But Sanders faces a critical decision about whether CFL football represents a stepping stone back to the NFL or an admission that his American football dreams died with that punch. When pressed about his future possibilities, Sanders delivered his strongest message yet.

Shilo Sanders is ready to move beyond his football dreams

Shilo Sanders isn’t putting all his eggs in the football basket anymore. The former Buccaneers safety knows his NFL window might have slammed shut after that preseason punch, so he’s exploring entertainment opportunities that could pay the bills. Music, modeling, and acting all became viable options as Sanders prepares for life after his Tampa Bay disaster. Shilo’s always had interests beyond football. “I’ve always done that my whole life, playing football, with music, acting, modeling. I’m well versed,” he said. He even played a young Deion Sanders on “BMF,” proving his real acting chops. But his agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, still hope someone claims him, but Sanders refuses to wait around for a phone call that might never come.

May 27, 2025, Tampa, Florida, USA: Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Shilo Sanders 28 warms up during practice at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Tampa USA – ZUMAs70_ 0820759656st Copyright: xJeffereexWoox

Sanders expressed genuine gratitude toward the Buccaneers organization despite his abrupt departure. “My time being with the Buccaneers has been nothing but great. The city, my teammates, my coaches, everybody has poured in love and support toward me and I’ll be forever grateful for that,” Sanders reflected. His three-star recruiting journey took him from South Carolina to Jackson State and finally Colorado, following his father’s coaching moves throughout his college career.

The harsh reality facing Sanders involves accepting that football might not define his future anymore. “I’ll be talking to my agent and we’re waiting on the next opportunity. If that’s in the NFL, cool, but God has blessed me with a lot of talent to do things other than football,” Sanders explained matter-of-factly. Sanders transformed his career-ending mistake into motivation for exploring untapped potential in the entertainment industries, where second chances exist more frequently than in professional football.

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