Shilo Sanders Considers Career Change As Buccaneers Release Him After $4,669 Fine

On August 31, ESPN senior insider Adam Schefter reported that the NFL fined former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders $4,669. He punched an opponent in the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. Sanders was ejected from the game and waived by the Bucs less than 24 hours later. No other team has signed him yet. 

A real punch: NFL is fining former Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders $4,669 for punching another player and being ejected from last Saturday night’s preseason game against Buffalo. Sanders wound up being released shortly after and has not been signed to another NFL team. pic.twitter.com/s6NFjrN50o

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2025

Following his release, the 25-year-old addressed his future on Instagram. He said he was okay with being released, and if things don’t work out for him in the NFL, he’d probably look for a career in music, acting, or modeling [CBS Sports].

“I’ll be talking to my agent and we’re waiting on the next opportunity,” Sanders said. “If that’s in the NFL, cool, but God has blessed me with a lot of talent to do things other than football. …”

“My time being with the Buccaneers has been nothing but great. The city, my teammates, my coaches, everybody has poured in love and support toward me and I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

Hall of Famer Deion Sanders’ son had signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent earlier this year. He had a college career with stints at South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado. At Colorado, Shilo Sanders led the team in tackles in 2023 before finishing third last season despite missing three games with injury.

Sanders’ agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, expressed hope last week that another franchise would claim him off waivers. Even then, his ejection and subsequent fine place a cloud over his immediate NFL prospects. With Tampa Bay’s crowded secondary and roster cuts looming, Sanders was already facing an uphill battle. The punch against Buffalo pretty much sealed his fate.

Antonio Brown mocks Shilo Sanders after Buccaneers ejection with viral drill video

On August 30, former wide receiver Antonio Brown took to X, sharing a video of himself running drills against Shilo Sanders, who’s just been released by the Bucs. Brown, known for his controversial takes, added a pointed caption.

“Yall tried to gas him… I’ve always known.”

Yall tried to gas him…

I’ve always known https://t.co/HJHOYiePPU

— AB (@AB84) August 29, 2025

The video vividly drew attention from fans and analysts, sparking conversation about Sanders’ early professional struggles and Brown’s enduring athleticism. 

Brown, meanwhile, remains a figure of contrast. Widely regarded as one of the league’s top receivers over the past decade, his career ended abruptly during a game against the New York Jets when he removed his jersey mid-drive and walked off the field.