Tim Tebow spent the 2012 season with the Jets after two seasons with the Broncos. (Photo: William Perlman, USA TODAY Sports) Tim Tebow couldn't get any playing time last season when the New York Jets had three quarterbacks on the roster. Following the selection of Geno Smith last week, they had six.
Well, now they have five.
Tebow was informed Monday morning when he arrived at the team's facility he'll be released, and the team put out a statement:
"We have a great deal of respect for Tim Tebow," said Jets head coach Rex Ryan. "Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we all had hoped. Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this offseason (losing weight). We wish him the best moving forward."
Tebow's NFL career is now in major jeopardy, unless of course he accepts a role as anything other than a quarterback. The Jets envisioned him as a Swiss Army knife of a player, and Tebow played a bunch of roles for them early last season – pass protector, punt protector, wide receiver and even H-back. The Jets also wanted to use him as a tailback, although that never materialized.
Late in the season, when Ryan benched Mark Sanchez and started Greg McElroy instead of Tebow, the coach had an upset Tebow on his hands. Tebow believed that as he was active for much of the season while McElroy was inactive was an indication he was truly the No. 2 quarterback. He was wrong.
As he hunts for a new team, Tebow has an offer on the table from the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. Last month, owner Brett Bouchy, sensing this moment would be coming, made his pitch to the popular quarterback via the Orlando Sentinel:
"Tim would certainly want to first exhaust his opportunities in the NFL, but we'd love to have him," Bouchy said. "I think he would definitely improve as a quarterback in our league.
"Kurt Warner told me once that when he got back to the NFL after playing in the Arena League, the NFL game was like slow motion. Everything in the Arena League is just so much faster and quicker and predicated on accuracy. Whenever Tim is willing, we have a contract waiting for him to sign."
That offer came a few weeks after the Jacksonville Jaguars, seen as a possible landing spot for Tebow, publicly said they'd have no interest.
Given Tim Tebow's lack of playing time and the fact he was passed over by third-string quarterback Greg McElroy to start against the Chargers, will Tebow and the Jets be parting ways after the 2012?
Wade Payne, AP Related story Fullscreen ![The 2012 season hasn't been a terribly pleasant season for Tebow, shown getting sacked for by Titans linebacker Zach Brown in a Week 15 loss in Nashville.]()
The 2012 season hasn't been a terribly pleasant season for Tebow, shown getting sacked for by Titans linebacker Zach Brown in a Week 15 loss in Nashville.
Wade Payne, AP Related story Fullscreen ![With Tim Tebow inactive against the Cardinals as he recovered from broken ribs, quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) and the Jets won 7-6.]()
With Tim Tebow inactive against the Cardinals as he recovered from broken ribs, quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) and the Jets won 7-6.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Tebow (15) leads his teammates and Patriots players in prayer after a 49-19 loss on Thanksgiving at Metlife Stadium.]()
Tebow (15) leads his teammates and Patriots players in prayer after a 49-19 loss on Thanksgiving at Metlife Stadium.
Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Jets quarterback Tim Tebow was all smiles after the Jets beat the Colts 35-9 on Oct 14, 2012.]()
Jets quarterback Tim Tebow was all smiles after the Jets beat the Colts 35-9 on Oct 14, 2012.
Debby Wong, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Most of Tim Tebow's limited playing time this season with the Jets has come running the football.]()
Most of Tim Tebow's limited playing time this season with the Jets has come running the football.
Steven Bisig, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Lack of playing time in New York hasn't diminished Tim Tebow's commerical viability. Here he is on a film set at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Nov. 13, 2012. Tebow is the new spokesman for DVR company TiVo and was filming a new set of commercials.]()
Lack of playing time in New York hasn't diminished Tim Tebow's commerical viability. Here he is on a film set at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Nov. 13, 2012. Tebow is the new spokesman for DVR company TiVo and was filming a new set of commercials.
Todd Plitt, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Jets quarterback Tim Tebowwarms up before the game against the Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Oct 28, 2012.]()
Jets quarterback Tim Tebowwarms up before the game against the Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Oct 28, 2012.
Debby Wong, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Since being traded to the Jets, Tim Tebow has spent more time on the bench that on the field.]()
Since being traded to the Jets, Tim Tebow has spent more time on the bench that on the field.
Debby Wong, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Despite the Jets' struggles this season, Tim Tebow (15) has remained the backup to Mark Sanchez (6).]()
Despite the Jets' struggles this season, Tim Tebow (15) has remained the backup to Mark Sanchez (6).
Debby Wong, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![(3) Tebowmania. Tim Tebow nearly broke Twitter when he connected with Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime for a TD to lead the Broncos past the Steelers in the wild card round of the 2012 NFL playoffs. Tebowmania had reached its peak. From there, the rest of the season included the circus of Tebow leaving Denver for New York City, his sequestration on the Jets’ bench and, what seems obvious now, inevitably being jettisoned to find a new home base for the hysteria.]()
(3) Tebowmania. Tim Tebow nearly broke Twitter when he connected with Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime for a TD to lead the Broncos past the Steelers in the wild card round of the 2012 NFL playoffs. Tebowmania had reached its peak. From there, the rest of the season included the circus of Tebow leaving Denver for New York City, his sequestration on the Jets’ bench and, what seems obvious now, inevitably being jettisoned to find a new home base for the hysteria.
Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports Images Related story Fullscreen ![There was plenty of media buzz for Tim Tebow's arrival at Jets training camp.]()
There was plenty of media buzz for Tim Tebow's arrival at Jets training camp.
Rich Barnes, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![If we learned anything about Tim Tebow at his first Jets news conference, it was that he was 'excite' to join his new team.]()
If we learned anything about Tim Tebow at his first Jets news conference, it was that he was 'excite' to join his new team.
Ed Mulholland, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Jets quarterback Tim Tebow with his dog Bronx before a Father's Day worship service at Qualcomm Stadium on June 17, 2012. Before he was traded from Denver to New York, the dog's name was Bronco.]()
Jets quarterback Tim Tebow with his dog Bronx before a Father's Day worship service at Qualcomm Stadium on June 17, 2012. Before he was traded from Denver to New York, the dog's name was Bronco.
Jake Roth, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Then-Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greets then-Broncos QB Tim Tebow (15) at their Sept. 26, 2010 game in Denver. The following offseason, Manning would sign with the Broncos as a free agent, meaning Tebow's days in Denver were numbered.]()
Then-Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greets then-Broncos QB Tim Tebow (15) at their Sept. 26, 2010 game in Denver. The following offseason, Manning would sign with the Broncos as a free agent, meaning Tebow's days in Denver were numbered.
Greg Trott, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow celebrates after beating the Steelers 29-23 in overtime of an NFL wild card playoff game on Jan. 8, 2012, in Denver. Tebow's 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of the extra period clinched the victory.]()
Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow celebrates after beating the Steelers 29-23 in overtime of an NFL wild card playoff game on Jan. 8, 2012, in Denver. Tebow's 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of the extra period clinched the victory.
Chris Schneider, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Tebowing became an national phenomenon while Tim Tebow was playing for the Denver Broncos in 201.]()
Tebowing became an national phenomenon while Tim Tebow was playing for the Denver Broncos in 201.
Garrett Ellwood, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Tim Tebow had plenty to be pumped up about in Denver in 2011. After taking over the starting quarterback job for the 1-4 Broncos, Tebow led Denver to an AFC West title.]()
Tim Tebow had plenty to be pumped up about in Denver in 2011. After taking over the starting quarterback job for the 1-4 Broncos, Tebow led Denver to an AFC West title.
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Worst haircut ever? Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow sports a Friar Tuck look for his rookie hazing in Denver in 2010.]()
Worst haircut ever? Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow sports a Friar Tuck look for his rookie hazing in Denver in 2010.
Ron Chenoy, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow stands in front of his statue for the first time, outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium of Saturday, April 9, 2011, in Gainesville, Fla.]()
Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow stands in front of his statue for the first time, outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium of Saturday, April 9, 2011, in Gainesville, Fla.
Laurie Hice Michaelson, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Tim Tebow is as comfortable at the crosses of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis as he is around football goal posts.]()
Tim Tebow is as comfortable at the crosses of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis as he is around football goal posts.
Lisa W. Buser for USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![Florida quarterback Tim Tebow runs around Dolphin Stadium shaking hands with Florida fans following the Gators' 24-14 win over Oklahoma at Dolphins Stadium to win the BCS Championship Game in 2009.]()
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow runs around Dolphin Stadium shaking hands with Florida fans following the Gators' 24-14 win over Oklahoma at Dolphins Stadium to win the BCS Championship Game in 2009.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow poses with the Heisman Trophy as he addresses the media on Dec 8, 2007 after winning the 2007 award.]()
Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow poses with the Heisman Trophy as he addresses the media on Dec 8, 2007 after winning the 2007 award.
James Lang, US Presswore Related story Fullscreen ![At the University of Florida ,Tim Tebow wore eye black without Bible verses on them.]()
At the University of Florida ,Tim Tebow wore eye black without Bible verses on them.
Phil Sandlin, AP
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