The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Shilo Sanders in their first wave of roster cuts, a tough moment for any rookie fighting for a spot.
With NFL teams required to lock in their 53-man rosters, more names, big and small, are bound to follow.
But Hall of Famer Michael Irvin doesn’t see Shilo’s early exit as all bad. In fact, he believes there’s a silver lining to the timing, calling it a move with two meanings.
Instead of looking at it as just a setback, Irvin suggests it might actually open the door to something bigger.
Todd Bowles Sends Strong Locker Room Message
Firstly, Todd Bowles set an example in the locker room, making it clear that certain behavior wouldn’t be tolerated on the field. “When coach Bowles cut him, it sends a message to the locker room, we can’t have that,” Irvin said.
By moving quickly, Bowles wasn’t just addressing Shilo Sanders’ situation; he was reinforcing accountability for everyone on the roster.
In the NFL, actions like these resonate beyond one player. They shape culture, discipline, and the standard expected from every teammate fighting for a spot. For Bowles, that standard had to be made clear early.
Michael Irvin Explains Shilo Sanders’ Opportunity
But secondly, Irvin believes timing could actually work in Shilo Sanders’ favor. With every team around the league focused on trimming down to 53 players, the spotlight naturally shifts to veterans who suddenly hit the market.
“Everybody will be cutting players, and a lot of the veteran players. So the young team, the teams out here won’t claim him off waivers because they know a rush of veteran players and they are coming and they have to save those spots to see what if they can get one of those guys that can help them win right now.” Irvin says that reality leaves the Buccaneers in a good position.
Instead of worrying about another team scooping him up, Tampa Bay could quietly slide Shilo onto its practice squad, giving him time to develop while still staying connected to the league.
“That’s why Tampa releasing Shilo this early gets him lost in the mix, so they can have an opportunity to bring him back on the practice squad because he’s the best kind of practice squad player. Remember, they got to tell him to slow down and stop. Don’t hit people. Don’t do that. Don’t go too hard. That’s exactly what they want on a practice squad.”
So, as other teams focus on chasing cut veterans, Tampa Bay may quietly hold onto the rookie while reinforcing discipline in the locker room.
Also Read: “It’s the Humidity Out There”: Shilo Sanders Talks About How He Hopes To Tackle the Tampa Heat