Shilo Sanders is one of the sons of legendary cornerback Deion Sanders to enter the NFL this season. While his brother, Shedeur, has received most of the spotlight due to all the pre- and post-draft narratives surrounding him, it’s possible that Shilo sees the field before his brother does, as Shedeur faces a more intense position battle with less rotation.
Shilo is also finding life much better overall in Tampa Bay and recently revealed one major reason for this.
Shilo Sanders Reveals Why Playing in Tampa Bay Is Easier Than in Colorado
Shilo may have gone undrafted in the NFL Draft, but still managed to earn a decent three-year contract from the Buccaneers. As one of 15 undrafted free agents, he is doing everything he can to earn a spot on the team and is finding it easier to practice in Tampa Bay than in Colorado.
Explaining why it was in a recent video on his YouTube channel, he said, “My breathing feels better than it did in Colorado.”
Colorado is comparatively at a higher altitude and has a colder climate than Tampa Bay, which has made life easier for the Bucs’ safety in the new city.
“Today, if we did what we did here in Colorado, bro, I would have died, but I’m feeling good, and the heat is not even that hot,” he further added. “It makes you feel comfortable. Like it makes you really like warmed up comfortable, but really, bro, the altitude in Colorado made it so hard.”
The Sanders family hopes the change in scenery helps him perform better and make the roster. But he’s currently listed as the fourth-string free safety on the Bucs depth chart. He sits behind Christian Izien, Marcus Banks, and J.J. Roberts.
Izien had a successful 2023-24 with the team, so it’s no surprise to see him listed as the team’s strongest option. With 140 total tackles across his two seasons to go along with three interceptions, the Rutgers graduate already has two years in the league.
Banks signed a three-year deal with the Bucs on May 10, 2024. He’s yet to appear in a game but is already familiar with Tampa Bay’s system and defensive alignment. Roberts, like Shilo, signed a three-year, $2.9 million deal after going undrafted.
The Colorado alum has decent chances of going a few spots up in the depth chart during the training camp and preseason if he performs well. He was a starter for the Buffaloes last season and recorded 67 tackles and two tackles for a loss in the ten games. He added a forced fumble and his first career sack, though he only had two pass deflections.
