Tim Tebow has been the subject of trade speculation for months and while the New York Jets have not been explicit about what they want to do with him, some of the other moves and rumors they have been involved in are telling, including the signing of David Garrard and the interest in Kevin Kolb.
According to NFL.com, The Jets have expressed interest in Kevin Kolb if he is released by the Cardinals, which is expected before he is due a roster bonus of $2 million last this week. The Daily News reports that if the team does sign Kolb, it is likely he will be the starter in Week 1 over Mark Sanchez.
The team also brought in former Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard on a contract to compete with Sanchez, possibly leaving Tebow as the odd man out. Last season the Jets barely used him and if they decide to bring in Kolb as well, it will be one crowded house at quarterback.
According to ESPN.com, the team shopped Tebow at the scouting combine and could trade him if they find a partner. The Jets also have Greg McElory and Matt Simms at quarterback and they would like to settle things bit before training camps open in the summer. Tebow has been a hard quarterback to trade due to his style of play, but the Cardinals could be an excellent fit, as they are getting rid of Kolb and were one of the worst offenses in the NFL last season.
The Cardinals just signed Drew Stanton to a three-year deal and while that could mean the end of any Tebow trade option, that shouldn't be so set in stone, as Stanton started just four games with the Lions over his first four seasons and has not played in any games over the past two while with the Colts as a backup. Stanton has passed for 1,158 yards and five touchdowns with nine interceptions, while Tebow has 2,422 yards for 17 touchdowns and nine picks.
Although Tebow has a different style, he proved that when the offense is built around him he can succeed, much like he did in Denver. The Jets never gave Tebow a chance and even though they wanted to use him in the Wildcat, it never worked out. Tebow was on the field for about 70 offensive plays and gained 102 rushing yards while completing 6-of-8 passes for 39 yards and zero touchdowns.
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Tebow is known as a hard worker and since the Jets have brought in another quarterback in the 35-year-old Garrard and want another one in Kolb, the move might be just to trade Tebow. Sanchez is owed nearly $9 million in guaranteed money so he isn't going anywhere and the Jets won't be able to stash him on the practice squad, so the best bet may be to just trade him for what they can get.
The Cardinals have made a number of solid moves in free agency and adding Tebow in a trade would bring some excitement to a team that went just 5-11 in 2012 and ranked near the bottom of the league in passing. Arizona has signed running back Rashard Mendenhall, cornerback Jerraud Powers, safety Yeremiah Bell and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander to deals and they could be doing more as they head into the weeks leading up to the draft.
The Cardinals were embarrassed multiple times last season, including in back-to-back weeks when they lost 7-6 to Tebow's Jets and 58-0 against the Seahawks. Tebow was injured for that game and Sanchez was benched for Greg McEroy, another sign that Tebow is likely on his way out of New York.
Tebow has been a winner at every level he has played football, winning a state championship, a national championship at Florida as well as Heisman trophy with the Gators. He showed how he can bring a team back while with the Broncos and if he makes it to the Cardinals he could pull it off again. Matt Flynn could also be an option if the Cardinals see him as a starter.
