The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up their preseason slate with a 23-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night. While many are looking forward to the season, Shilo Sanders will be in search of a new NFL home.
The son of Deion Sanders was released by the Bucs on Sunday, according to multiple reports. This comes after Shilo was ejected against the Bills after throwing a punch. Sanders signed with the Buccaneers in April and tried to carve out a role on special teams, but that dream will come elsewhere. He was tossed in the second quarter after throwing a punch at Bills tight end Zach Davidson. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles called the infraction “inexcusable” and said that such lapses in judgement won’t be tolerated in the NFL.
Many people took to social media to comment on Sanders being cut from his first NFL team. One of the most unexpected to "dish out some knowledge" was Fanatics Sportsbook. After the news broke, the account comically predicts that he'll get picked up by the UFC.
Getting claimed by the UFC
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) August 24, 2025
Not a terrible suggestion. Sanders has a background in boxing since his youth and Ryan Garcia is also a family friend. He'll need to figure out his next move either in the NFL or beyond.
Off the field, Sanders faces an ongoing bankruptcy case tied to an $11.8 million judgment stemming from a 2015 altercation with a former school security guard, John Darjean. Sanders filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2023 in hopes of discharging the debt, though Darjean has argued in court that the damages are nondischargeable because they stem from a “willful and malicious” injury, according to court records.
A bankruptcy judge is expected to rule later this year, with Sanders’ financial future uncertain.
For now, Sanders’ next NFL home is up in the air. Some believe he could be reunited with his brother, Shedeur, in Cleveland. Another spot might be closer to home with the Denver Broncos, who are in need of depth in the secondary and near his father.
Sanders produced solid numbers during his senior season at Colorado, recording 67 tackles and a defensive touchdown. Whether another team is willing to take a chance on him will soon become clear as NFL final cuts come this Tuesday.
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