Santa Clara, CA – Just as the San Francisco 49ers prepare to open Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season, a familiar name from the franchise’s golden past is walking back through the doors of Levi’s Stadium — or rather, his son is.
Shilo Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, has declined an offer from the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad to pursue a workout with the
San Francisco 49ers, where his father once brought swagger, speed, and a Super Bowl ring.
Deion Sanders’ 1994 season with San Francisco remains one of the most iconic single-year stints in NFL history. Joining the 49ers in their pursuit of a championship, Sanders instantly transformed the defense with his unmatched coverage skills and electrifying confidence, earning
NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and helping the team capture Super Bowl XXIX. That lone season cemented him not only as a 49ers legend but as one of the most transcendent players in league history.
Now, over three decades later, Shilo Sanders is hoping to revive that connection — not by nostalgia, but by earning his own place in the 49ers’ story.
The 25-year-old defensive back turned down Seattle’s offer earlier this week, choosing instead to fly to Santa Clara for a Friday workout with the Niners. The move surprised many around the league, but sources close to Sanders say his decision was fueled by belief — that San Francisco’s structure, culture, and defensive pedigree could help him
become the star he was meant to be.
Sanders’ path has been anything but smooth. After going undrafted in 2025, he briefly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
and appeared in three preseason games before being released. Injuries, including an ACL tear in 2022 and recurring lower-body issues in 2024, slowed his rise. But the former Colorado standout remains confident. During his college career under his father’s coaching, he totaled
161 tackles, 11 interceptions, and six forced fumbles, displaying both vision and physicality.
For the 49ers, this workout comes at a moment of need. With the secondary battling fatigue and minor injuries following six grueling weeks, the front office has explored ways to add depth and special-teams versatility. Sanders’ ability to play both
safety and nickel could make him an intriguing fit in Steve Wilks’ system, which emphasizes hybrid athleticism and intelligent coverage schemes.
Still, health will be the key. San Francisco’s medical staff is expected to evaluate Sanders early next week before any deal is finalized. Team insiders describe the meeting as “exploratory but hopeful.”
If signed, Sanders wouldn’t just be chasing a roster spot — he’d be chasing a family legacy that once wore red and gold under the Levi’s sun.
“My father built part of his legend here,”
Shilo reportedly told a friend. “Now it’s my turn to see if I can live up to that — not by being him, but by being me.”
For a franchise that thrives on history and redemption, the symbolism is undeniable. In 1994, Deion Sanders helped San Francisco reclaim NFL glory. In 2025, his son hopes to write a new chapter — one that bridges the past and the future of the Scarlet and Gold.
If Shilo Sanders makes the cut, it won’t just be a football story — it will be the revival of a legacy that once helped define what it meant to be a
49er.
