Buccaneers HC rips Shilo Sanders for 'inexcusable' behavior
3 minute readPublished: Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:02 pm

Buccaneers Coach Slams Rookie Safety for "Inexcusable" On-Field Behavior
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has strongly criticized rookie safety Shilo Sanders following the team's preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. Sanders was ejected from the game in the second quarter for throwing a punch at Bills tight end Zach Davidson. The incident occurred after a play had ended, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty that significantly impacted the Buccaneers' defensive position. The Bills capitalized on the penalty, scoring a touchdown on the subsequent play.
Bowles didn't mince words in his assessment of Sanders' actions, labeling the punch as "inexcusable." He emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable in the league and that players will be penalized for it. The incident occurred during a game where Sanders was already struggling. He was also penalized for pass interference, contributing to a Buffalo touchdown drive. Sanders' performance was marked by more penalties than tackles, finishing the game with two penalties and only one tackle.
Prior to the game, Sanders was in competition with Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom for the fourth safety spot on the 53-man roster. The ejection and the overall performance likely diminished his chances of securing a spot on the team. Bowles acknowledged that Sanders, a 25-year-old rookie, is still adapting to the professional level. While the coach viewed the incident as a setback, he expressed hope that Sanders could learn from the experience. The practice squad may be the most suitable option for Sanders as he continues to develop.
BNN's Perspective:
While it's understandable that emotions run high in the heat of competition, Sanders' actions were clearly detrimental to his team and his own career prospects. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of discipline and composure in professional sports. Hopefully, Sanders can learn from this experience and mature into a valuable player.
Keywords: Shilo Sanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Todd Bowles, Buffalo Bills, ejection, punch, penalty, unnecessary roughness, rookie, safety, preseason, football, NFL