The Baltimore Ravens wanted Shedeur Sanders badly in the 2025 NFL Draft. They had their eyes set on taking him in the fifth round, ready to add the former Colorado star to their roster. But Sanders wasn’t having it. He refused to accept a backup role behind Lamar Jackson. 

Fast forward a few months, and even though his younger brother Shilo Sanders was available as a free agent, the Ravens didn’t give him a second thought. Instead, Baltimore signed two other safeties, signaling they’ve officially closed the door on Shilo’s second chance in the NFL.

The Ravens’ urgency to bolster their secondary explains these moves. Coming off their worst start in franchise history at 1-4, Baltimore needed immediate help in the backfield. They made a key trade, sending pass rusher Odafe Oweh and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. 

Gilman’s $2.5 million contract is a modest price for a player expected to shore up a struggling secondary. They also added veteran safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, who has 16 interceptions from 2021 to 2024. These roster moves aim to patch holes, conserve cap space, and give coach John Harbaugh’s defense a fighting chance on the field.

Harbaugh stressed that scheme tweaks and personnel changes are on the table to stop the defensive slide. “We have a lot of decisions to make…We plan on putting ourselves in position to win a lot of football games this year. That’s what we have to do. The urgency is high,” Harbaugh said.

But what about Shilo Sanders? He’s available, and one would think the Ravens might at least give him a look. Yet, the team didn’t even blink. The story of Shilo’s journey, his setbacks, and where he stands today paints a different picture altogether.

What’s Shilo Sanders up to now as a free agent?

Shilo, a promising rookie safety, faced a tough reality after being cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers post-preseason. Despite a decent showing in training camp and preseason (logging 83 defensive snaps, four tackles, and a QB pressure), Shilo failed to stick. 

But that wasn’t enough to secure a spot. A recent workout with the San Francisco 49ers didn’t lead to a contract either, leaving Shilo a free agent still searching for his NFL break.

And now, financial struggles are surfacing, as revealed in a candid video posted by Shilo.“Bro, I just got cut from the NFL. I don’t got no money, bro,” he confessed. “You got to go ask like Shedeur (Sanders). [My NIL money] is gone, bro.”

The statement seemed humorous, given his father Deion Sanders’ lucrative $54 million coaching contract. But it reflected the harsh financial reality for a fringe NFL player with no guaranteed payday. Shilo remains hopeful, continuing to film videos for his YouTube channel and keeping his options open.

“The NFL, they call it the ‘not for long’ league, nothing is ever certain,” he shared. “Even if you make the team, it’s not certain.” He’s exploring music, acting, and modeling as backup plans and interests he’s nurtured since youth. 

If another NFL opportunity doesn’t come, the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, who hold his CFL rights, could be a potential landing spot. Until then, it’s clear the Ravens won’t be the team to bring Shilo Sanders back into the NFL.