The Toronto Argonauts have placed defensive back Shilo Sanders on their negotiation list, which gives the team exclusive Canadian Football League (CFL) rights to two sons of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Deion Sanders. Earlier in 2025, the Argonauts also added quarterback Shedeur Sanders to their negotiation list.
Under CFL rules, teams can claim up to 45 players on a first-come, first-served basis for the negotiation list, provided the players are not eligible for the Canadian or Global Drafts and have not previously played in the league. Players can be added, traded, or removed from these lists at any time. Being listed does not indicate interest by the player in playing in the CFL; many may not be aware their rights have been claimed. A player can only force removal if they request and do not receive a minimum contract offer from the claiming team.
Shilo Sanders was released earlier on Sunday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after an incident during their final preseason game, where he was ejected for unnecessary roughness following a post-whistle altercation with Buffalo Bills’ tight end Zach Davidson. Head coach Todd Bowles described this conduct as “inexcusable.” Sanders had joined Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent and recorded four tackles over three preseason games. He remains eligible to be picked up by another National Football League team or signed to a practice squad after final cuts scheduled for August 26.
Sanders began his collegiate football career at the University of South Carolina before transferring to Jackson State University in 2021 when his father became head coach there. During his time at Jackson State, he was named second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (All-SWAC) and accumulated significant stats including 59 tackles and five interceptions over 20 games. He then followed his father again to the University of Colorado for his last two seasons, recording a total of 137 tackles and contributing with turnovers and defensive touchdowns.
Shilo has also received media attention stemming from a legal matter dating back to high school; a Dallas district court ordered him to pay damages related to an altercation with a security officer. He filed for bankruptcy in 2023 regarding this judgment, but proceedings continue as collection of future wages is contested.
Shedeur Sanders, Shilo’s younger brother, was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns but faces uncertain prospects amid competition within that team’s quarterback roster.
Both brothers are noted in sports coverage because of their father Deion Sanders’ career achievements as both an NFL player and Major League Baseball athlete. Known as “Prime Time,” he was recognized as one of professional football’s top cornerbacks while also competing professionally in baseball.
Recently, Deion Sanders has shown support for former players active within Canadian football by wearing gear such as a Calgary Stampeders hat during practice sessions at Colorado. For now, should either son choose to pursue opportunities within Canadian professional football, Toronto retains exclusive negotiation rights while they remain on its list.
