Tim Tebow is currently on the New York Jets roster, but the team has expressed interest in trading him and could do it before the new league year starts in March.
The Jets need to figure out what they want to do at quarterback with Tebow and Mark Sanchez and chances are they will bring in a new name to compete for the starting job. One player that has been mentioned a lot in trade talks is Seattle Seahawks backup Matt Flynn, who was signed to a big contract last offseason.
Pete Carroll made a tough decision to keep his high-priced quarterback on the sidelines, giving Russell Wilson the chance to start. The move paid off as Wilson established himself as one of the best starters out West and one of the most exciting players in the NFL. He led the team to the playoffs and one win before falling to the number one seeded Atlanta Falcons on the road.
Flynn originally signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract and was expected to be the starter, but obviously that didn't work out. The Jets are in need of a quarterback and Flynn could be their man.
Last month Jason Cole at Yahoo Sports said that it was unlikely that a team would trade for Flynn since Seattle is likely to release him, writing that "while Seattle has told QB Matt Flynn they are willing to trade him, finding trade partner is problematic because several expect he'll be cut"
The reason for that possibility is that $2 million of Flynn's $5.25 million 2013 salary is guaranteed, but that may not stop the Jets, who appear desperate to fix their quarterback situation. The trade could help both sides, as Seattle wants to get rid of Flynn and the Jets need to get rid of Tebow.
Carroll is known as an eccentric coach and with Wilson starting, Tebow could be the perfect decoy for the offense or a change of pace guy coming in in certain situations. There also is a chance Seattle could ask Tebow to change positions, to play running back or tight end.
"I think his career is over without playing another position," one general manager said to Adam Schefter at ESPN.
Tebow had a rough season in New York, but it wasn't his fault, as the Jets totally misused him, putting him on the field for only 73 offensive plays, leaving him to gain 102 rushing yards on 32 carries. He also had only eight pass attempts and completed six of them for 39 yards and scored zero touchdowns.
He was originally acquired from the Broncos in March by the Jets with a in exchange for the Jets' fourth and sixth round picks. He originally signed a five-year, $33 million contract in 2010 and he is due $2.08 million next season unless he 70% of the snaps in 2013, in which his price would increase. His cap hit would be $2.08 million and Seattle could fit that in if they trade Flynn.
Flynn is a bit unproven as a quarterback, but he was excellent while with the Packers when he had his chances, throwing for 480 yards and a team-record six touchdowns in a 54-41 win in 2011.
Flynn will be one of the most desirable quarterbacks due to the weak draft and free agent class and he could be a fit for the Jets, who are trying to use a more opened up passing system like in Green Bay. Peter King wrote that he likely would be traded for a "late-round pick", but the Jets could be a good partner if they feel they can get rid of Tebow and improve at quarterback.
There still are many other teams that could trade for Flynn and Tebow, including the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns, who all had mediocre play at quarterback last season.
