What’s next for Shilo Sanders? Best options for Deion Sanders’ son waived by Buccaneers at NFL cut day

Shilo Sanders was released by the Buccaneers on Sunday. The rookie safety was let go from the team despite being in contention for one of the team’s roster spots. The move comes hours after he was ejected for throwing a punch in Tampa Bay’s final preseason game. 

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

You can see in the clip that Davidson does go for a few extra block attempts, likely to get in the head of Sanders. The safety retreats, and it looks like the Bills tight end slips and falls into him. Davidson then appears to flex at Sanders, which prompts the former Buccaneers rookie to swing at Davidson. As is standard in the NFL, throwing a punch results in an instant ejection, even in the preseason. 

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Here is more on what could be next for Sanders following his release from the Buccaneers.

MORE: Live roster news, updates, notable cuts for all 32 NFL teams

What’s next for Shilo Sanders?

Sanders will get his first test of the waiver wire process in the NFL. Since he is a rookie, Sanders will have to pass through waivers because he is not a vested veteran. Waivers in the NFL are not like waivers in fantasy football. There are two periods of the waiver order. First is from the draft to Week 3 of the regular season. It is the inverse of the standings from the previous year. With this system, the Titans have the first waiver spot. In Week 4, the waiver order changes and updates weekly to the inverse of the current NFL standings.

If the Titans want Sanders, they can submit a claim for him and acquire him. If not, it will pass them by and then proceed to Cleveland, which can decide whether to claim him, and then it continues. If he passes through waivers, the rookie will become a free agent and be able to sign with any team he wants. 

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Why was Shilo Sanders released?

Sanders was likely not going to make the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster. Tampa Bay already is bringing back the majority of its starters from last season, so there was only room for depth. Sanders did have a shot at making the practice squad, and technically, if he passes through waivers, the Buccaneers do have the option of re-signing him to their practice squad. 

Sanders signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent. Reports about him in camp were mixed, but the thrown punch and ejection certainly didn’t help. Sanders needed all the reps he could get in his final audition to make the Buccaneers, and he was ejected from the game in the second quarter.

Head coach Todd Bowles was less than thrilled about the safety’s actions, saying, “You can’t throw punches in this league. I mean, that’s inexcusable. They’re gonna get you every time. Gotta grow from that.” The ejection itself likely wouldn’t have been enough to spell a release outright, but combined with Sanders already being on the bubble, it at least certified he won’t get a main roster spot with Tampa Bay.

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Will the Browns sign Shilo Sanders?

Cleveland could have the chance to sign Sanders. The Browns will have the second overall waiver spot, so if the Titans pass on the safety, he will fall to them. Cleveland could decide to reunite Shilo with his brother, Shedeur, who the Browns have said is expected to make the roster if they actually carry four quarterbacks, as reports suggest. 

Here is a look at this year’s waiver order that will be in place through Week 3 of the regular season. 

2025 NFL waiver order until Week 3