Shilo Sanders Shocking Interest From CFL Team

 Shilo Sanders has faced a harsh reality of professional football, which has just delivered a wake-up call that even his legendary father’s reputation couldn’t cushion. After getting the axe from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following their final preseason game, Shilo Sanders now finds himself with a potential path to professional football, just not the one he probably dreamed about growing up.

When Plan A Becomes Plan Eh?

The irony is almost too perfect. Here’s a guy who spent his college career under the brightest spotlight in college football, playing for his Hall of Fame father at Colorado, only to find himself potentially heading to a league that most American football fans couldn’t locate on a map if you spotted them the “C” and the “F.”

However, here’s where it gets engaging and slightly heartwarming, if that’s your thing. The Toronto Argonauts didn’t just grab Shilo Sanders out of some desperate attempt to generate headlines. They already have his brother, Shedeur, on their negotiation list, creating the possibility of a Sanders family reunion in the Great White North.

The CFL Reality Check

Let’s discuss what this actually means, because the CFL’s negotiation list system is as straightforward as Canadian tax law. Each team can stash up to 45 players on their list—think of it as football’s version of calling dibs. The Argonauts essentially looked at Shilo Sanders and said, “If the NFL doesn’t want you, we’ve got next.”

It’s a first-come, first-served system, and Toronto clearly saw something they liked. Or maybe they just figured having both Sanders brothers would make for some compelling marketing material. Either way, Shilo Sanders now has options, which is more than a lot of undrafted free agents can say right about now.

The Bucs Experiment That Wasn’t

Tampa Bay gave Sanders a shot to stand out after going undrafted. However, the secondary was crowded with players, and the writing was pretty much on the wall. Then came the punch during the week 3 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, and that sealed his fate in Tampa.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio mentioned that Tampa Bay could be open to a practice squad reunion. Still, when you’re competing for scraps at the bottom of the depth chart, sometimes it’s better to be a starter somewhere else, even if that somewhere else requires a passport.

The Development Path Less Traveled

There’s actually some strategic genius in this move, even if it wasn’t necessarily Shilo Sanders’ first choice. The Argonauts clearly see potential in the Sanders name and bloodline. Whether that translates to actual on-field success remains to be seen. However, at 25, Shilo Sanders still has time to prove that genetics and determination can overcome the initial setbacks of a professional football career.

It’s not the glamorous path, but it’s a path nonetheless. And considering the alternative might be hanging up the cleats entirely, heading north starts to look like a pretty solid Plan B.

The Waiting Game

For now, it’s all theoretical. Shilo Sanders hasn’t committed to anything, and there’s still the outside chance that an NFL practice squad spot materializes. But the fact that Toronto moved quickly to secure his rights suggests they’re serious about making this happen. The CFL season operates differently from the NFL, allowing time for this situation to develop. But make no mistake. This is a crossroads moment for a young player whose surname carries more weight than most NFL rookies’ entire résumés.