Steelers Quickly Named Surprise Landing Spot After Shilo Sanders Released By Tampa Bay

The Pittsburgh Steelers, all of a sudden, have a path to land a different Sanders. When the 2025 NFL Draft kicked off, many wondered if the Steelers would take a shot at quarterback Shedeur Sanders. They didn’t, and he surprisingly slipped all the way into the fifth round. His brother, Shilo Sanders, wasn’t as fortunate. He went undrafted, but quickly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the draft. 

He survived through training camp, but after the team’s third preseason game, Tampa Bay decided to cut him. His ejection during that game likely played a role in the decision, along with the fact that the Buccaneers simply didn’t have a roster spot for him. Now the Steelers’ name is back in the Sanders conversation, but this time tied to Shilo. According to the popular sportsbook Hard Rock, Pittsburgh is one of the top favorites to land the defensive back. 

The betting app posted a graphic linking Sanders to the Steelers, sparking speculation that Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan could at least explore the possibility. It doesn’t necessarily mean Pittsburgh is actively pursuing him, but the connection is enough to stir up some intrigue, especially considering the team’s constant search for depth in the secondary.

Hard Rock even added some humor to the mix. Along with posting Shilo and labeling the betting favorite as Pittsburgh, the app trolled him by listing Publix, the popular grocery store, as another landing spot. The jab implied that Shilo may not get another opportunity in the NFL, but if he does, the Steelers remain a team to watch. 

For a franchise that values athleticism, competitive fire, and depth across the board, it would not be surprising if Shilo at least received a look in Pittsburgh. Tomlin has always admired players with pedigree, and Shilo certainly has plenty of that with his father being Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders. 

At the very least, the Steelers could consider bringing him in just to give him an opportunity. He may not be a strong candidate to crack the 53-man roster, but a spot on the practice squad would not be out of the question.

The Steelers Should At Least Give Shilo Sanders A Chance

Pittsburgh has seen its safety depth tested and thinned out rather quickly in recent seasons, so there is value in taking a closer look at a player like Shilo. His confidence and belief in his own abilities are undeniable, and those traits alone could make him worth evaluating. Even if he is viewed as a long shot, there is little risk in giving him a chance to prove himself on the field.

Whether Tomlin and Khan ultimately decide to make that move remains to be seen, but the door is at least open. Shilo still has plenty to prove, and Pittsburgh is the kind of place where unheralded players have been given opportunities to carve out unexpected roles. Many Steelers fans did not seem very excited about the chance to get Shilo now that he has been released.

Would you want to see the Steelers bring Shilo Sanders on the active roster or at the very least, the practice squad? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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