As the NFL preseason wraps up this weekend, teams face the looming deadline to trim rosters to 53 players by Tuesday, August 26, ahead of the regular season and the road to Super Bowl 60 in San Francisco. While most franchises already have their core lineups set, the final roster spots remain hotly contested.
Rookies and undrafted free agents are battling to earn their place, showcasing their talent in training camps and preseason action. Among the hopefuls are brothers Shedeur and Shilo Sanders — sons of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, widely regarded as the greatest cornerback in NFL history.
Shilo Sanders Roster Projection
Speculation is mounting around Shilo Sanders’ future as the Buccaneers weigh their final roster decisions ahead of their preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. With injuries depleting Tampa’s defense, the undrafted rookie safety from Colorado is battling to secure a spot as the team’s fourth-string free safety.
Shilo Sanders during joint practice vs. the Titans 👀
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 7, 2025
(via @gucceCU)pic.twitter.com/g0uCaF0zL9
According to PFSN’s Scott DiBenedetto, if the Buccaneers decide to move on, Shilo could draw interest from the Dallas Cowboys — a franchise once home to his father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Shilo Sanders Bankruptcy Case
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders is battling for a roster spot while also facing a major off-field challenge — an $11.8 million bankruptcy case stemming from a 2015 assault lawsuit. The court will decide whether the debt is wiped clean or follows him into his NFL career, with potential wage garnishment on future earnings. Ironically, the plaintiff, former security guard John Darjean, benefits if Sanders succeeds in the NFL, as it improves his chances of repayment.
Meanwhile, Sanders is fighting to prove himself on the field. Head coach Todd Bowles called this week’s preseason finale against Buffalo “very important” for his roster chances. Despite going undrafted, Sanders signed a three-year, $3 million deal and continues working to secure a spot on the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster.
While it’s possible Sanders won’t survive Tampa Bay’s final roster cuts, his NFL journey is only just beginning. As the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, opportunities are likely to follow. A move to Dallas may not happen right away, but with roster cuts looming across the league next Tuesday, one door closing could quickly lead to another opening.
