Tim Tebow has been one of the most talked about players in the NFL this offseason and one reason is because the New York Jets have been shopping him around the league and have thus far been unable to find any team willing to trade for him, fueling speculation that he will be released sometime soon or even after the draft that starts later in April.
According to The NY Daily News, the Rams were one possible team that was reportedly interested in acquiring Tebow, but instead they decided not to make a deal and also said that they would not sign him if he was released. Following the Tebow trade in 2012, the team was mentioned as a possible option when the deal was hung up on money, but it never went further than interest, as Adam Schefter reported.
According to ESPN.com, the next move for Tebow, despite the fact that the team is planning to trade or release him, is to attend the voluntary offseason workouts that start on Monday. Sources told ESPN that Tebow will attend the workouts and that he is planning on being ready for the start of the season whether he is still with the Jets or not. Tebow poked fun at himself at a speaking engagement earlier in the offseason when he said he didn't know where he would be next year, but it likely will not be with the Jets.
The team made a huge mistake trading for Tebow last March, but the mistake is not with the player but with the Jets. While Tebow is not the typical NFL quarterback, he possesses a certain set of skills that can be successful when used right, but the Jets never did that once last season, keeping the quarterback on the sidelines and primarily using him as a punt protector.
Whatever anyone thinks of Tebow personally, he proved while with the Denver Broncos that he could lead a team and start in the NFL, going 8-6 during his time with the franchise as starter. He also led the team to a division title and a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, something that a number of quarterbacks who got new jobs this offseason have done ever or in a number of years, including Carson Palmer, now with the Arizona Cardinals, Matt Flynn, who is now with the Seattle Seahawks, and Kevin Kolb, who is now with the Buffalo Bills.
While many moves are unlikely, Tebow could fit with a number of teams around the league, especially ones that are looking for a backup quarterback like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the New Orleans Saints, who lost backup Chase Daniel to the Kansas City Chiefs during the offseason. Another intriguing option could be with the Chicago Bears, who lost backup Jason Campbell in the offseason. He also could make it to the Browns or the Jaguars if he is released.
The Jets were just 6-10 last season and the team has clearly moved on From Tebow, who has spent the offseason working out in Arizona and Florida, including with former Heisman winners Vinny Testaverde and Chris Weinke. He has been trying to improve his footwork, mechanics and throwing motion.