For many college athletes, the NFL is the dream run they’d hoped for. It appears to be the same for Shilo Sanders, whose cryptic message hints at an end. 

“I just be like working out like just as a human, but training and stuff...and you have a set day, like camp starts, like a whole different type of training,” the 26-year-old said. “It takes a special kind of guy to see the light at the end of the tunnel…and I don’t think there’s any light in my tunnel.” 

Recently, in his video on YouTube, Sanders confirmed he’s no longer training for the NFL. This admission from the former Colorado Buffs star comes just as he is set to face a bankruptcy trial. 

According to a May 6 USA report, Sanders filed a “series of requests” in court to limit the scope of evidence in the upcoming trial. It is related to a lawsuit filed by John Darjean and concerns “Sanders’ disciplinary history as a minor in Texas” in 2015.

Upon investigation, USA Today reported that, in 2015, Darjean, a security guard at FOCUS Academies in Dallas, was caught in an altercation with a 15-year-old Sanders. Darjean then “claimed he suffered permanent and severe spinal and nerve injuries.”

Shilo reportedly injured Darjean, who was trying to confiscate Sanders’ phone. He then sued Sanders and his parents. However, charges against his parents were dropped in 2019. 

While Sanders’ personal life is marred with legal troubles, his professional life has taken a turn, too. Despite a six-year college career, which ended with 123 solo tackles out of 170 in total and 80 interception-yard returns in 2023, he went undrafted in 2025. 

He, however, signed a three-year deal worth $2.96 million but was let go after a physical altercation with Zach Davidson, who was the Buffalo Bills’ tight end. Since then, Sanders has not been seen around the NFL. However, he could try his luck in another field or league.

Shilo Sanders Could Pivot His Career To The CFL

If his NFL career, admittedly, has reached a dead-end, Shilo Sanders could pivot to the Canadian Football League. 

According to Newsweek, the Toronto Argonauts have hold of Shilo’s CFL negotiating rights. They also have CFL rights to his younger brother, Shedeur Sanders, who is a Cleveland Browns quarterback. 

Shilo’s football career does stand a chance, as he racked up impressive numbers in the three pre-season games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He recorded 83 defensive snaps, 46 coverage snaps, four tackles, one QB pressure, and one reception for eight yards. 

Apart from playing football, Sanders is also a vlogger and has a strong presence on social media. He even walked the LV ramp in 2024. 

Sanders’ career is at a precarious point and could pan out either way. What are your thoughts on this development? 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar