Aug 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders (28) in pass coverage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Should Chargers take a gamble on Deion Sanders' son?

Originally posted on Los Angeles Chargers on SI
By Richie Whitt | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 10:29 PM ET

In a brutal 24-hour period, Shilo Sanders got ejected from a preseason game for fighting and then cut from an NFL roster for not being good enough. Could the next stop for Deion Sanders' oldest son be the Los Angeles Chargers?

In short: Not a chance. Why?

MORE: Chargers final roster: Surprising cut candidates on LA's 53-man depth chart decisions

He's a high-profile name because of his Hall-of-Fame father, but Shilo wasn't a star at Colorado. He went undrafted, signed as a free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In their camp, he got ho-hum reviews and wasn't going to make their team in a crowded, talented secondary.

If you’re an UDFA trying to make the team as we get closer to final cuts, the last thing you need to do is get ejected for punching an opponent right in front of a referee

Shilo Sanders was waived by Tampa Bay this morning

pic.twitter.com/I5XOpgjbia
— BarnBurner Sports (@BB__Sports) August 24, 2025

Aside from Shilo's mediocre talent, he's a proven hothead. Still hanging over his head is a $12 million lawsuit judgment. Add to that his temper tantrum Saturday night that resulted in him throwing a punch and getting ejected and he just didn't prove worth the trouble in Tampa.

Said Buccaneers' head coach Todd Bowles, "You can't throw punches in this league. I mean, that's inexcusable. They're gonna get you every time. Gotta grow from that."

Since he's not a vested veteran, Shilo will be have to pass through waivers. The Tennessee Titans will get the first shot to claim him; the Chargers are 22nd on the list.

MORE: Chargers rookie report card: Many LA draft choices assured final roster spot

Chargers' head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz have plenty of tough decision in trimming their roster to 53, but seriously consider Shilo isn't one of them. The Chargers are set at safety with Derwin James and Alohi Gilman, backed up by Tony Jefferson and Elijah Molden. Also in the secondary this preseason players such as Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still and Benjamin St-Juste have emerged to strengthen the cornerback position.

Bleacher Report suggests the best landing spots for Shilo are the Bucs (to their practice squad), Pittsburgh Steelers or Philadelphia Eagles. Anywhere is fine except for The Bolt.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Chargers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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