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The Cleveland Browns' quarterback battle is heating up - and it's not just confined to the practice field.
Shedeur Sanders, the dynamic rookie quarterback, is making waves both in training and internationally, as a surge in fan interest helped crash Ticketmaster during the NFL's London ticket release.
During the team's organized training activities (OTAs), head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear that this isn't a balanced or friendly quarterback competition.
"It's not going to be everybody gets 25 percent of the reps; that's not how it's gonna be," he explained, signaling that the battle for the starting role will be competitive and decisive.
While Kenny Pickett appears to have taken on a mentor role and Dillon Gabriel continues to navigate questions about his size, all eyes are on the duel between the seasoned Joe Flacco and the promising Sanders.
The fifth-round pick is showing signs that he may be a hidden gem in the Browns' depth chart.
Massive London demand highlights Shedeur Sanders' rising profile
The anticipation around Sanders' NFL debut has gone global. Ticket sales for the NFL's 2025 international games began Thursday and were quickly overwhelmed by fans eager to watch teams like the Browns and Jets.
According to Ari Meirov, more than 250,000 fans flooded Ticketmaster's digital queue, prompting the NFL to temporarily suspend sales.
The frenzy centered on the Browns' matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on October 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a high-profile clash in the league's growing UK calendar. But the headline act may not be the teams - it's the quarterback storyline unfolding in Cleveland.
The NFL issued a statement: "Due to exceptionally high demand for NFL London Games tickets, Ticketmaster has temporarily paused sales to monitor the queue."
The league added the move was necessary to protect access for "genuine fans," a nod to ongoing issues with bots and resellers. Meanwhile, fans reported being placed in queues well beyond position 250,000, with some told to expect wait times exceeding an hour. Ticketmaster later noted, "Our tech teams spotted bad actors and we are working to keep them out."
Whether these bad actors are digital scalpers or symbolic of defenders gunning for Sanders, one thing is clear: the Browns have never attracted this kind of attention overseas. With or without Flacco at the helm, the excitement around Shedeur's potential is unmistakable.
Sanders shines at OTAs as Browns future takes shape
As technical teams scrambled to stabilize the ticket system, Shedeur Sanders focused on football.
On Day 2 of OTAs, he delivered a standout performance - completing 7 of 9 es for three touchdowns and zero interceptions, translating to a 78% completion rate. It was a statement outing that reinforced his talent and silenced critics who questioned his draft position.
His father, Deion Sanders, shared his pride online, posting a clip with the caption: "It's a beautiful thing." That sentiment is now widely shared in Cleveland. Since 1999, the franchise has seen over 30 quarterbacks come and go. Sanders could finally change that narrative.
Even as Joe Flacco delivered his own solid numbers (9-for-14, 1 TD), Sanders' presence has created a buzz - one strong enough to break servers and shake up the Browns' depth chart.
With Gabriel struggling and Pickett sidelined as a likely backup, Shedeur is turning heads and raising expectations. For fans in the UK and across the NFL, Sanders represents not just a rookie prospect, but a new chapter for a team in need of a star.