The Sanders brothers are on different sidelines for the first time. Under Coach Prime, what started as a family affair at Colorado and Jackson State has now broken off into two distinct NFL career pathways. Shedeur Sanders, the swaggering, stat-driven headliner, is getting used to a packed quarterback room in Cleveland. In Tampa Bay, Shilo Sanders, the older brother who was not the center of attention on selection day, is drawing comments on his play. However, this does not imply that the family dynamic has subsided simply because they have moved to different cities. It has, if anything, been louder, particularly in Shilo’s case.
Shilo has quickly established himself in Tampa Bay, and not just because, in the words of head coach Todd Bowles, he is “very loud.” During rookie minicamp, the rookie safety is already drawing a lot of attention by giving out coverages, echoing play calls, and making it very evident that he is not there for the scenery.
Shilo admitted in a recent press conference, “I get really loud. But that’s the number one thing you have to do as a safety, is just be able to communicate and be an extension of the defence coordinator on the field.” Bowles’ rare compliment further cemented the argument, as if the message wasn’t clear enough. “He’s very intelligent, he’s very loud. You can hear him today, making calls and everything,” the usually reserved head coach noted. That’s great feedback from a coach who hardly ever gives rookies credit unless they deserve it.
#Bucs HC Todd Bowles said yesterday that S Shilo Sanders was “very loud.”
Sanders gave a warning that he gets that way when he’s on the field. pic.twitter.com/wwmGjf6M6b
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) May 10, 2025
But the opportunity is just as important as the voice. The safety room is open now that Jordan Whitehead is gone and Antoine Winfield Jr. is recovering. Shilo isn’t just participating. He is stepping in to fill the leadership void. Despite not being selected in the draft, that $2.9 million deal further strengthens Tampa’s belief that something is brewing here.
Shilo is already behaving like he belongs. While other rookies struggle at the start and just tiptoe around veteran shadows. And it’s no coincidence. He brought in Drew Rosenhaus as his agent after being passed over in the draft and firing his own father. And now? He has Todd Bowles talking. But all the noise Shilo makes on the pitch, he is also sending a clear message to his younger brother.
No more wake-up calls: Shilo Sanders draws the line
Shedeur was in the news for years. Shilo had the role player vibes. However, Shedeur, who was selected 144th overall, is currently buried beneath four other quarterbacks in Cleveland and has no contract guarantees. The defender Shilo, meanwhile, has a legitimate chance to break into a depth chart that is in dire need of players and a $300K guarantee. But the biggest shift might not be in the bank accounts, it’s in the brotherhood dynamic.
Shilo told ESPN, “He’s been calling me in the morning at 6 a.m…He wants some brotherly love. You know, he misses me as the big brother who’s not next to him no more at practice, and, you know, we talk a lot.” Sounds good, doesn’t it? However, there are limits to Big Brother energy. “I stayed later to meet with Coach Rashad. And he [Shedeur] had called me during the meeting, and I’m like, ‘Yo, bro, you messing up my study session.’” Translation: This isn’t college anymore, little bro. Stop calling.
So, the Sanders brothers are neither in the same storyline nor on the same practice field. One is fighting for attention in a crowded quarterback’s room. While the other is making sure his voice is heard loud and clear. Maybe it’s too early to talk about who’s winning this next chapter. But one thing is clear: The Brotherly love is only growing.
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