If you've been scrolling through sports news lately trying to figure out what team is shilo sanders on, you aren't alone. It’s a bit of a moving target. Honestly, the answer depends on whether you're looking for a helmet or just a social media update.
As of early 2026, Shilo Sanders is currently a free agent. He is not officially on an NFL 53-man roster.
The road has been pretty bumpy since he left Boulder. After a high-profile college career playing for his dad, Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, at Colorado, the transition to the pros hasn't gone exactly like the movies.
The Tampa Bay Chapter (and Why it Ended)
Last year was supposed to be the big breakout. Shilo entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a lot of hype—mostly because of the Sanders name—but he ended up going undrafted.
Basically, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to take a chance on him. They signed him as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) in April 2025. It looked like a decent fit. Tampa has a history of giving gritty defensive backs a shot, and Shilo certainly has the "hit power" his dad was famous for avoiding.
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But things went south fast.
During a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills in August 2025, Shilo got ejected. He punched Bills tight end Zach Davidson. Not a great look. Head coach Todd Bowles called the move "inexcusable," and just a few days later, on August 26, the Bucs waived him. He didn't even make the practice squad.
The 49ers Workout and the Current "Waiting Game"
After the Tampa exit, things got quiet, then weirdly hopeful, then quiet again. In September 2025, Shilo got a workout with the San Francisco 49ers.
Fans were buzzing. People thought, "This is it, he’s going to play for the team his dad won a Super Bowl with." But the Niners didn't sign him. They passed.
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Since then, Shilo has been linked to a few other spots:
- The Washington Commanders: Rumors flew in late 2025, but they signed a veteran safety instead.
- The Las Vegas Raiders: Shilo actually went on record saying he’d love to play there, but the interest hasn't been mutual so far.
- The Toronto Argonauts: Here’s a fun fact—the Argonauts in the CFL actually own his negotiating rights. If the NFL door stays shut, he might have to head north to Canada to keep the dream alive.
Why Isn't He Signed?
It’s complicated. On the field, Shilo is a heavy hitter, but some scouts worry about his coverage speed and "hero ball" tendencies. Off the field, he’s been dealing with a massive $11.8 million legal judgment from a 2015 incident involving a school security guard.
He actually filed for bankruptcy in late 2023 to deal with that, and the legal battle has dragged into 2026. Teams generally don't love "distractions," especially for a backup safety who's already 25 years old.
While his brother Shedeur Sanders is currently with the Cleveland Browns (drafted in the 5th round in 2025), Shilo is in a different boat. He’s grinding. He’s still training. He’s still posting to his YouTube channel. But as for an NFL jersey? He’s still waiting for that phone to ring.
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What's Next for Shilo?
Honestly, the "Not For Long" league is living up to its name for Shilo right now. If a team suffers a bunch of injuries in the secondary during this 2026 offseason, he might get a "camp invite."
If not, he’s already talked about his other interests:
- Modeling and Acting: He’s already done some high-end runway stuff.
- Music: He’s been in the studio quite a bit.
- Coaching: Don't be surprised if he ends up back on the sidelines with his dad if the playing days are truly over.
For now, if you're looking for him on a Sunday afternoon, you're more likely to find him in the stands supporting Shedeur or filming content than you are to see him in an NFL secondary.
Your Move: How to Track His Status
If you want to stay updated on where he lands next, keep an eye on the NFL Transaction Wire. That’s the only place where it’s official. You can also follow his YouTube channel for the behind-the-scenes "vlog" version of his comeback attempt. If he doesn't sign by the start of the 2026 preseason, the CFL or a career change is likely the next play.