Tim Tebow has had quite the offseason for the New York Jets while dealing with constant trade rumors and the much-discussed quarterback is in attendance on Monday as the team starts voluntary offseason workouts, despite the fact that general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan have made it clear that they will trade or release him at some point.
According to ESPN.com, Tebow has confirmed that he will attend the workouts after sources leaked the news earlier in the week and heading into the week he spoke about his offseason at the Tim Tebow Foundation Celebrity Gala & Golf Classic at TPC Sawgrass. The backup spoke about working out hard all offseason and that it has been one of his best ever despite the fact that he doesn't know exactly what the future holds. Tebow mentioned his time in high school and that since he has been at Nease High School certain things have been out of his hands.
Tebow spoke about working hard and giving a great work ethic despite being in the dark about the offseason and said that this year was one of his best and most fun that he has had. Tebow has spent time working out in Texas, Florida and Arizona and also has done a number of special speaking engagements and other events. The Jets tried to shop Tebow at the NFL scouting combine and after reports of them being unable to find a trade partner, sources have said that the team will release him after the NFL draft at the end of April.
Tebow said he did not want to change positions and said it was his dream to play quarterback and even though it could be awkward since the team is trying to trade him, the quarterback is ready to show up and work hard at the offseason program, saying he will have a "great attitude." Tebow had a rough season last year after being acquired from the Broncos, rushing for just over 100 yards and passing for 39 on six completions while serving as mostly a punt protector and decoy.
The Jets offseason took another interesting turn over the weekend, as rumors started circulating that the team has mentioned Mark Sanchez in potential trade talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are currently working on a deal to acquire cornerback Darrelle Revis. The team has been willing to trade Revis since they do not want to pay him a super high salary and the Buccaneers have enough cap space to sign him to a new deal.
The Jets are demanding at the least the Buccaneers' first round pick in any deal and reports say that they want more on top of that as well. The team has a glut of quarterbacks with Tebow, David Garrard, Matt Simms and Greg McElroy, which is one reason why the team may be willing to get rid of Sanchez, who was ineffective last year while throwing 18 interceptions and getting benched at one point. Sanchez has regressed over the past four years after taking his team to the AFC championship in the first two and depending on what goes down, this could be a make or break year for him.
