According to a report out of Orlando, the Denver Broncos could trade Tim Tebow to the Jacksonville Jaguars or New York Jets as early as today according to TV station WKMG, citing a source close to Tebow.
The Jaguars were long considered a favorite to land Tebow – they are +175 on the WagerWeb.com prop on where Tebow plays in 2012. Tebow is from the Jacksonville area and still a legend in the Sunshine State after winning a Heisman at the University of Florida and becoming arguably the most popular college football player ever. Tebow led the Broncos to an 8-8 record and the AFC West title last season after taking over for Kyle Orton, but Tebow was the NFL’s lowest-rated passer.
The Broncos signed Peyton Manning on Tuesday, making Tebow expendable because he simply can’t function as a backup in the kind of offense that the Broncos will run with Manning. Tebow reportedly asked Broncos boss John Elway to make trading him to Jacksonville a priority, although obviously Elway will take the best offer for Denver. Tebow likely would start for the Jags because he would help fill seats in an often half-empty stadium. Jacksonville did draft Blaine Gabbert in the first round of last year’s draft, but he struggled. The team also signed former Dolphins second-round pick Chad Henne as a free agent this offseason.
The Jets are the intriguing other team as they already have Mark Sanchez in place. Tebow would put massive pressure on Sanchez – or New York could use Tebow as some sort of gimmick quarterback as a change of pace. Tebow could run the wildcat formation, a favorite of head coach Rex Ryan and new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. In addition, the Jets believe Tebow could have a positive effect in repairing their dysfunctional locker room.
The move also would give the Jets a huge surge of interest. Members of the Jets organization have noticed what Jeremy Lin has done with the Knicks, and Tebow in New York could be even bigger. Plus the Jets have fallen behind the Super Bowl champion Giants in terms of interest in the Big Apple.
The Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins also were interested in Tebow but the TV reports says it’s down to the Jags and Jets. Tebow was expected to be dealt for a third-round pick.
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