The New England Patriots have decided to cut Tim Tebow after signing him earlier this offseason, setting up some new drama as the quarterback will be a free agent once again and could sign with another team before the season, but a release this late in the game makes it unlikely.
According to ESPN.com, Adam Schefter reports that Tebow has been cut by the Patriots on the final roster cut down day as teams need to get to 53-players after being at 75 after Tuesday. Tebow did not play in the third game against the Detroit Lions, and the same situation came up last year when third string backup Brian Hoyer did not play in the third game and then was cut, and clearly the same situation is playing out. Tebow played against the New York Giants on Thursday night and clearly did not pass the test for Bill Belichick, as he overthrew a number of receivers and looked lost at times, but he also made some nice plays, throwing two touchdowns and looking crisp on other passes.
Tebow was signed earlier in the offseason after he was released by the Jets and it appeared he had a good chance to make the team after going through the first cut down, but now he will be a free agent again and another team may not give him the chance that the Patriots did. Robert Kraft said he was pulling for Tebow, but it's Bill who makes the football decisions and after not carrying a third QB in three out of the past four seasons and dealing with injuries at some positions, it makes football sense to get rid of Tebow.
During his run in the preseason, Tebow went 6 of 11 for 91 yards and two picks on Thursday night and in the first two games he played in 31 snaps and didn't make much of an impression. Belichick feels comfortable with Ryan Mallett at quarterback and now Tebow must start over once again in the NFL and will have to work to find a spot as teams are starting to cut down players to get to 53.
