Jacksonville Jaguars, Urban Meyer consider signing former Heisman winner Tim Tebow as tight end, decision brings mixed reviews from current, former players
May 13, 2021
On Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars made headlines when several reports indicated that they had intentions of signing former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow as a tight end.
While Tebow was once considered as a fan favorite across the league, the Jaguars recent signing was met with mixed reviews from many current and former players.
Tebow, 33, would be reunited with his former University of Florida head coach and current Jaguars Head Coach, Urban Meyer.
During their time at Florida (2006-2009) Tebow and Meyer won two BCS National Championships in ‘06 and ‘08.
The former Gator quarterback also won the Heisman Trophy in 2007.
Tebow’s first stint in the NFL didn’t pan out the way many fans expected after being selected in the first round by the Denver Broncos in the 2010 draft.
He would only play two seasons with the Broncos before being traded to the New York Jets, where he played sparingly for one season before being cut following the 2012 season.
In 2016, he decided to pursue a baseball career, eventually signing with the New York Mets organization.
While in the Mets minor league system, Tebow primarily played outfielder where he would slash a career batting average of .223, with 18 home runs and 327 strikeouts.
Beginning in 2013 Tebow joined ESPN as a college football analyst on SEC Nation. He has also appeared on SportsCenter, First Take and others.
The Jaguars have already faced backlash from the NFL community over their anticipated decision.
Soon after the probable signing was announced, several players chimed in on social media, including former Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant.
“So Tebow haven’t played an NFL game in [expletive] near a decade and it’s that simple. . .no hate but you gotta be kidding me,” Bryant Tweeted.
Steelers star linebacker Devin Bush was also quick to voice his displeasure with the expected signing.
“Tebow got a job before Kaepernick. Wait till we play Jacksonville,” Bush Tweeted.
However, not everyone was as critical of the rumored signing.
Former NFL defensive end Marcellus Wiley defended the Jaguars presumed decision.
“Why y’all tripping on Tebow? We all have homies that work out until they’re in their 30s trying to make it to the league and very, very few make it,” Wiley Tweeted.