Shilo Sanders is on an upward trajectory. His safety rushes and rising fan favoritism has created a tricky fork in the road for his NFL future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The decision isn’t just about depth charts and roster math. It’s about whether an undrafted rookie can force his way into the team’s long-term plans. And in this case, family is right in the middle of the storyline. Pilar Sanders, who got to watch both her sons play football for the first time in an NFL preseason, also stepped in to offer her full support.

On Saturday in Tampa, the ex-wife of Deion Sanders and mother to Shilo, Shedeur Sanders, and Shelomi Sanders swapped her earlier “12” fit for a custom “28” look, repping Shilo Sanders’s number in style. It was a statement. She posted his game highlights video and wrote, “First NFL Game and Yep @shilosanders brangs that BOOM. Everytime! #proudmom #tampabaybuccaneers #shilosanders #28.” A mom’s words can’t change a roster decision, but it can sure make a son feel like he belongs in the league.

The weekend was a full doubleheader for Pilar. One night earlier, she was in Charlotte, North Carolina, for Shedeur’s two-TD preseason showcase, rocking the “12” that turned heads. Postgame, Shedeur gifted her his first-ever game-worn jersey. A move dripping with sentiment. But when Shilo offered his to dad Prime, the reception was icy. “He didn’t want it,” Shilo Sanders said, as reported by ESPN. “Cause, you know, he’s a Hall of Famer. He expects like 30 times more… I’m gonna give it to my mom though. Shout out to my mom for coming. She went all the way to North Carolina for Shedeur’s game, and then went to my game. So, you have my jersey.”

On the field Saturday, Shilo Sanders made sure his tape told the right story. His debut came in a 29-7 win over the Titans. Although his stat line showed just one QB hit and one solo tackle, the plays were high-leverage moments. The QB hit blew up a 1st-and-10 from Tampa Bay’s own 28-yard line, halting a red-zone push. Later, his solo stop on Titans RB Kalel Mullings on 2nd-and-7 set up a crucial 3rd-and-3. That sequence turned into a false start, an incompletion, and a punt. A defensive win in the type of situational football coaches obsess over.

For an undrafted safety, these flashes matter more than raw numbers. The NFL is littered with athletes who made rosters by producing just a couple of decisive preseason plays. Shilo’s willingness to rush downhill, take on blocks, and time his blitz fits into the Bucs’ defensive DNA under Todd Bowles. His aggressiveness against the run and feel for angles show traits that can’t always be coached. But in a crowded safety room, with veterans entrenched and special teams reps at a premium, his margin for error is razor thin.

That’s where the off-field pressure seeps in. Pilar’s public support, her presence at back-to-back games in different states, and even the jersey symbolism all form a narrative that Shilo is worth investing in. Still, as much as family pride fuels confidence, NFL roster math is ruthless. If the Bucs don’t see him fitting the Week 1 blueprint, an AFC team could be his next home.

Shilo Sanders’ NFL future faces a Steelers twist

Shilo Sanders might’ve put enough boom on the field to turn heads, but that may not be enough. If the Buccaneers ultimately leave Sanders off the 53-man roster, his name might not sit long on a practice squad before another team comes knocking. And one team already fits like a glove. The Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ryan Pawloski over at Still Curtain has already planted the seed, saying, “Sanders might be the player Mike Tomlin has been searching for. The Steelers’ long-time coach has preached about adding versatility to the secondary, and that is exactly what the club did when they acquired Jalen Ramsey. If Sanders can make an impact this preseason, Pittsburgh’s thin depth at safety could work in his favor.”

It’s the kind of open door you dream about if your current team’s depth chart feels more like a traffic jam. The math in Tampa is tight. Three roster spots left for five players. If we pencil in Kaevon Merriweather and J.J. Roberts as locks, that leaves just one chair in this NFL game of musical chairs. Sanders will be scrapping against Bryce Hall, Kindle Vidor, and Tyrek Funderburk for that final seat. The twist? His audition continues against none other than the Steelers this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.