Just when you thought he was out, they pulled him back in. We are referencing Tim Tebow, of course. The one-time great college football quarterback turned pro, turned New York Mets minor-leaguer, turned ESPN analyst is now back in the National Football League.
Tebow and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed on a one-year deal for Tebow to play tight end. The former Florida Gator is afforded the opportunity as his former college coach Urban Meyer is now the man running the ship in Jacksonville. It seems odd that Tebow has any business being back on the field considering he has been out of the league for eight years and is not a tight end, but he and Meyer have always had a strong relationship.
Tebow caught a lot of flak for his performance in the NFL. He received even more criticism for demonstrating his Christian faith by kneeling. However, despite the extreme pressure and scrutiny that he received on a daily basis from national media and fans, he performed decently and even led the Denver Broncos to one of the most exciting playoff wins of the 2010’s.
In the 2011 season Wild Card round, Tebow gained 50 yards on the ground, along with a rushing touchdown. He also passed for over 300 yards, with two touchdowns, including the game-winning 80-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas, as he led the Broncos to a 29-23 overtime victory over the Ben Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tebow was drafted 25th overall in the NFL Draft by the Broncos. It seems now that if Tebow had the college career today that he had in the 2000s, he would be a top-5 pick if not the first overall selection. In 41 total games over the span of his last three-years, Tebow threw for 8,927 yards and 83 touchdowns with only 15 interceptions. He added another 2,478 yards on the ground with an additional 49 touchdowns.
Tebow is 33 now and at first glance, he looks to still be in shape, but it is hard to tell if he is in football shape. Just as we had expected with the Mets, you must wonder if this is a publicity stunt for the Jags or if they honestly believe he can contribute to their team. It is not unfathomable to think that Tebow could stick around for some pre-season games to fill the stands and then be dumped before the regular season. After all, his competition on the roster is with four other tight ends who have much more recent experience.
With first round draft pick Trevor Lawrence expected to be the starter, Tebow couldn’t even compete for the backup quarterback job which will be held down by Gardner Minshew and then C.J. Beathard.
Just recently, Urban Meyer had addressed the rumors that Tebow was working out for the team.
“I have one job and that is to win games with the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Meyer said. “If Tim Tebow or Travis Etienne can help us win, then that’s my job to get them ready to go play. That decision is certainly not made yet.”
All in all, this seems like a head-scratcher. It’s hard to think that Tebow would need the money and I’m sure if he did, Meyer wouldn’t be irresponsible enough to cut another player who is more worthy of playing in the most competitive league in the world over his old college quarterback.