Considering the jersey sales and Jacksonville’s proximity to where Tim Tebow starred in high school and college, he might already be the most popular tight end in Jaguars history. Marcedes Lewis was obviously far more accomplished and made 12 Jaguars rosters. Will Tebow end up making one?
The Jags have a noticeable hole at tight end; this issue has persisted for several years. Lewis’ run of 400-plus-yard seasons stopped after the 2012 campaign, and the Jags gave Julius Thomas a big-ticket deal in 2015 to provide a better receiving option. That did not end up working out, and the franchise has not featured much of note at the position since it traded Thomas in 2017. Its current tight end group consists of veterans James O’Shaughnessy and Chris Manhertz and recent Day 3 picks Tyler Davis (2020, Round 6) and Luke Farrell (2021, Round 5). Among those who were pros in 2020, O’Shaughnessy’s 262 receiving yards — a career-high mark — led the way.
Of course, Tebow’s profile does not point to him providing a remedy for the Jags’ tight end issues. But the former Heisman winner, playoff starting quarterback and minor league outfielder generates considerable discussion and has throughout his time in the spotlight. Urban Meyer has both expressed concern for his tight end group and lauded Tebow’s leadership qualities.
Although he spent time with the Eagles and Patriots through the summer of 2015, Tebow has not played in a regular-season game since 2012 with the Jets. Should Tebow return to a game that counts in 2021, he would be only the fourth NFLer since the merger to return to the league after at least eight seasons away. Doug Flutie was the only player to do so without the 1987 players’ strike factoring into the equation; both the others — ex-Broncos offensive lineman David Diaz-Infante and former Chiefs QB Tony Adams — were replacement players in 1987.
Given Meyer and Tebow’s history, the recent Mets farmhand lasting beyond the summer probably should not be considered a shocking proposition. The Jags did not guarantee any of Tebow’s one-year, $920K contract, however, and the former Broncos first-round pick has never caught a pass in an NFL game. Tebow reportedly impressed Jags coaches at his new position during his workout and displayed ball-carrying chops at Florida and as a Bronco (660 rushing yards, six TDs in 2011). And the Jags do not have a host of roster locks at this position.
Should Tebow be released ahead of roster cutdown day, he would be eligible for Jacksonville’s practice squad. As strange as it would seem, given Tebow’s age (34 in August), a developmental/roster insurance role would make sense — if the Jags view him as a viable tight end, of course. This path may be amenable to Tebow, who spent multiple seasons with much younger teammates as part of the Mets’ minor league system. Practice squads increased from 10 to 16 players last year, but barring another change, the CBA calls for 12-man taxi squads in 2021.
On a slow weekend, weigh in with your view of Tebow’s comeback. Will he end up sticking with the Jags in 2021, or will his No. 85 jersey end up a collector’s item like Jerry Rice‘s No. 19 with the Broncos?
Tim was signed for Urban to feel comfortable. No different than them drafting the Clemson RB to make Trevor comfortable.
He makes the team but will be used mainly as a blocker and on special teams. He will coach next year.
he can coach and play special teams now that their coach brian schneider left them… probably for that reason.
Who cares at this point. It’s all inflated
im shocked that over 70% of people think he’ll remain with the team in some form.
I believe he will. I get he probably isn’t the TE you sign if you’re shooting for a title, but JAX is trying to build something. When you look at the options (or lack thereof) at TE they have, it’s not hard to envision him making the team.
And I wouldnt be surprised given the lack of options, and it would hardly be an issue, i just don’t think he’ll beat out the others.
Theyre pretty devoid of talent at the position.
He will make the team simply to sell tickets.
Trevor Lawrence and Florida icons Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow. Come see!
Why not? What do they have to lose? Worst team in the league last year and what’s the harm in keeping him as third TE/special teams? He has the highest selling jersey right now. People like him and he could make them more money than some other random guy.
He will stay on the team. Creates a lot more revenue for the organization.
I say yes. His jerseys are going to sell and his catches will be shown all over the place.
He only needs one year on the active roster for full pension and medical from the NFL. He will show as minor league baseball that he can’t compete at the NFL level as a TE.
Tebow has already got his pension
I heard he needs 3 more games for it to fully vest.
i mean, with what he makes off the field, he probably doesnt have to get all that worked up about that.
Hard to believe that this is the best the jaguars can come up with for a TE. David Njoku is 3rd on the depth chart for Cleveland and could be had for a mid round pick. They like to call Tebow a minor league baseball player but he failed miserably. Any 23 year old would have been cut loose yet a 33 year old got to leave on his terms. Before anyone bashes me as a Tebow hater, I’m not. He’s a great guy. Great role model. But everyone knows that nobody else would get this opportunity except Michael Jordan
Yeah, but you’d also be giving away a mid-round pick for 1yr of Njoku only to pay him at the end of the year or let him walk. I don’t know, I guess it depends on how good you feel you can be if you’re JAX.
No, he is not the best the Jags could come up with. No resume or experience at the position. He’s Urban’s boy plain and simple. This is the kind of move a college coach makes.
Going out on a limb and saying he’s the starting QB week 1
Probably not. Tebow generated a ton of headlines because of the name but reality is so many players get signed knowing they likely won’t make the team.
If Tebow makes the roster or practice squad it will demonstrate that Urban Meyer has no clue how to direct a professional football team.
Yep because you know more than Urban Meyer
I swear people hate him just to say they hate him
I have never understood all the Tebow dislike/hate. I don’t recall him ever doing anything to anyone or saying anything bad about anybody. All he ever did was win, just like Flutie and Karpernick. Good luck Tim.
You’re just listening to the 2% we used to ignore until they got Twitter. Jersey sales and baseball revenue proved most people actually do think he’s fine. We just don’t go on incessantly about it the way haters feel they need to.
If Tebow’s real value to the team is leadership, Meyer should have given him a job as an “adviser” or assistant strength and conditioning coach or something that keeps him in the building but doesn’t waste an active roster spot.
And yes, I understand the contract isn’t guaranteed. He’ll still be taking practice reps from someone who could help them win on the field.
This is the question every great lawyer would love to ask during a career making (breaking?) trial.
It is amazing to read some of the comments. Did anyone take the time to wonder why so many people like Tebow. He has made it a point to act with the utmost of professionalism. He gave QB all he had, not having the ability to throw made it almost impossible to succeed. He tried with both the Patriots and Eagles but couldn’t hack it. He turned to baseball and travelled the long bus rides, fast food stops and cheap hotel trail for four years. Had some success his second and third years but injuries intervened. Again he gave it all and lasted four years. His college career with Coach Meyer was fantastic ( Heisman plus two national championships )
His greatest attribute is his tenacity and leadership skills. Getting back with Meyer will be the first time since college where he can demonstrate them. Regardless what his role might be he will demonstrate what it means to be a professional. At the same time he will take time to relate to his fans. The only way you can hate Tebow is if you have a jealousy streak. For all those people who say someone else should get a job ahead of him, maybe if they tried to be more like Tebow the fans would make their uniform # number one seller. Yes The NFL is a business and wining is the goal, but setting an example for young people isn’t a bad idea either
Here’s hoping he make it but might not see action till Duuuval Co is out of the running like 7-8 game