“Veteran NFL QB Issues Cryptic Warning to Shedeur Sanders: Is a Major Showdown on the Horizon?”

As we inch closer to the NFL Draft, all eyes are on a standout player whose skills are generating both excitement and a fair share of scrutiny: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. With his impressive performance on the field, you might think he’d be basking in the glow of admiration, but former NFL quarterback Kyle Sloter has raised a red flag—specifically regarding Sanders’ peculiar pre-throw habit of patting the ball. Is this just a quirky quirk, or could it spell trouble for his timing and accuracy as he transitions to the big leagues? With defenders like Andre Cisco eyeing this potential tell, fans are left pondering: is this a critical flaw or something that can easily be fine-tuned? Let’s dive deeper into this intriguing debate and see what the future may hold for Sanders as he gears up for the NFL. LEARN MORE

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders got a lot of reps in for prospective NFL teams ahead of the NFL Draft later this month. But for one former NFL quarterback, there was a noticeable quirk in Sanders’ game that needs addressing ASAP.

Taking to X on Friday, former NFL quarterback Kyle Sloter warned Sanders about a habit he has of patting the ball before he throws it. He noted that Sanders tends to bring the ball to his free hand to give it the pat rather than just do it in a natural motion. He believes that habit could cause issues for his timing and accuracy.

“I personally believe Shedeur Sanders has a chance to be a good QB in the NFL, but boy is that ball patting going to be a problem. Patting the ball is very common and not a problem when it’s to initiate your throwing motion but Shedeur is bringing the ball to his free hand to pat it?!?! Timing and accuracy are going to be affected,” Sloter wrote.

I personally believe Shedeur Sanders has a chance to be a good QB in the NFL, but boy is that ball patting going to be a problem. Patting the ball is very common and not a problem when it’s to initiate your throwing motion but Shedeur is bringing the ball to his free hand to pat… https://t.co/vat1yKZvac

— Kyle Sloter (@KyleSloter) April 5, 2025

Worse still, Sanders’ habit could prove a tell that will give defenders an edge in getting a jump on his passes. Sloter shared a tweet of NFL defender Andre Cisco admitting that very thing:

“Boy better stop patting that ball, we breakin onnat earlyyyy,” Cisco wrote on X.

If you won’t take my word for it 🤷🏼‍♂️ https://t.co/XExeoTt8er

— Kyle Sloter (@KyleSloter) April 5, 2025

But NFL fans don’t seem that convinced that the throwing habit will be a problem. Some asserted that it hasn’t hurt other quarterbacks while others feel that it’s something easily correctable:

“Feel like that’s an easy fix for an NFL coach if he is willing to listen. Especially if it proves to be a real problem,” one user remarked.

“Man you didn’t pat the ball and had no chance to stay in the league. I bet he’ll be fine. Way better athlete than you with a stronger arm. I like his chances,” another said dismissively.

“Elway did it,” a third pointed out.

There’s little denying that Sanders has some holes in his game. If he didn’t, teams would be trying to move up in the top-three of the draft rather than down. 

Is this a serious problem for Sanders, or is Sloter just making a mountain out of a molehill?

Related: NFL Team With Top-5 Pick Going All Out For Shedeur Sanders’ Pro Day