The Las Vegas Raiders were heavily linked to Shedeur Sanders ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, with speculation fueled by his father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, expressing interest in the Silver and Black. The Sanders family’s close ties with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, combined with the team’s need for a young quarterback, made the connection seem plausible. However, the Raiders passed on Shedeur multiple times, and he ultimately landed with the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. Meanwhile, his older brother, Shilo Sanders, a free safety, faced even tougher luck. Shilo went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft and failed to secure a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster as an undrafted free agent. Despite this, Shilo hasn’t given up on his NFL dreams and recently made a public plea for the Raiders to give him a chance. Unfortunately for him, Las Vegas should steer clear—and here’s why.
During an event in Las Vegas, Shilo Sanders seized an opportunity to pitch himself to the Raiders. Speaking to Vegas Sports Today reporter Mike Dixon, Sanders boldly stated, “Shout out (to) the Raiders. Y’all need a safety, come holler at me. I don’t live in Vegas, but I could, if the Raiders said, ‘Come on, do a workout real quick.’ I could live in Vegas.” While his enthusiasm for joining the Raiders and embracing the Las Vegas lifestyle is admirable, the team’s front office, led by John Spytek, should ignore this self-promotion. Shilo’s on-field performance and off-field issues make him a risky and unnecessary addition to the roster.
Shilo’s preseason performance with the Buccaneers was, to put it bluntly, underwhelming. His stats tell a grim story: just four tackles and three missed tackles. His Pro Football Focus grades were equally dismal, with an overall defensive grade of 39.1, ranking him 39th out of 40 players on Tampa Bay’s defense. His 46.4 grade against the run placed him 36th, his 27.4 tackling score ranked 31st out of 35, and his 47.2 coverage grade was 28th out of 32. These numbers highlight why the Buccaneers didn’t retain him, not even for their practice squad. If Spytek needs further confirmation, a quick call to his former colleague and Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht would likely clarify why Shilo was cut.
Beyond his lackluster performance, Shilo’s behavior during the preseason raised red flags. In the Buccaneers’ preseason finale, he was fined by the NFL for punching a Buffalo Bills tight end—an incident that likely sealed his fate with Tampa Bay. This wasn’t an isolated issue, either. Shilo has a history of off-field troubles, which further diminishes his appeal as a potential signing. For a Raiders team looking to build a disciplined and cohesive roster, adding a player with this track record would be a step backward.
The Raiders’ current safety situation, while not perfect, doesn’t justify taking a chance on Shilo. Fans may be frustrated with Isaiah Pola-Mao’s play this season, but the team has other viable options. Players like Tristin McCollum, Terrell Edmunds, and Chris Smith II could rotate in, and Lonnie Johnson Jr. is expected to return from the Injured Reserve. These alternatives are far more reliable than a player who struggled to make an impact in the preseason and carries additional baggage.
Shilo Sanders’ confidence and desire to play for the Raiders are commendable, but the numbers and facts don’t lie. His poor performance, coupled with his off-field issues, makes him a liability rather than an asset. The Raiders need to focus on players who can contribute immediately and align with the team’s long-term goals. Signing Shilo Sanders would be a gamble with no payoff in sight. For the Silver and Black, it’s time to tune out the noise and keep their eyes on the prize—a stronger, smarter roster.