The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) have taken a significant step toward a possible Sanders family reunion by adding defensive back Shilo Sanders to their negotiation list, joining his brother Shedeur Sanders, whose rights were acquired earlier this year. This move, announced over the weekend, gives the Argonauts exclusive CFL negotiating rights to both sons of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders—a unique situation given the extensive media attention around the family and their ties to football success at every level.
The negotiation list system in the CFL allows each team to claim exclusive rights to up to 45 players who are either in other leagues or have not yet played professionally in Canada. Being on the list doesn’t signify intent on the player’s part—but it means that if Shilo or Shedeur choose to ply their trade north of the border, Toronto would be their only CFL option.
Shilo’s addition to the Argonauts’ list comes shortly after his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, following an ejection for an on-field altercation during the final NFL preseason game of 2025. While Shilo awaits potential NFL practice squad offers or waivers, the Argonauts’ claim provides a new pathway should he look to continue his football career outside the U.S.
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and remains focused on securing a spot on their 53-man roster, making a CFL stint highly unlikely for now. However, if circumstances change, both Sanders brothers could, in theory, find themselves teammates again with Toronto—a storyline that’s drawn intrigue considering their celebrated collegiate careers under the coaching of their father, Deion Sanders, at Jackson State and Colorado.
While it remains to be seen whether either Shilo or Shedeur will ever suit up for the Argonauts, Toronto’s tactical move secures their possible futures in Canadian football and ensures that any Sanders family legacy in the CFL would run exclusively through them.
