It’s now a given that Tim Tebow will be traded. The question remains where.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, four teams currently are in the running: the Jaguars, the Jets, the Packers, and an unknown (for now) candidate.
The source said the mystery team could be the Dolphins. Despite reports that the Dolphins aren’t interested, the theory is that those reports are coming from G.M. Jeff Ireland, who doesn’t want Tebow. It’s believed that owner Stephen Ross and team president Mike Dee are very interested in bringing Tebowmania to South Florida.
In Jacksonville, the split of opinion could be getting smoothing over. G.M. Gene Smith originally didn’t want Tebow, owner Shad Khan does, and there are indications that Smith is coming around.
The Jets, we’re told, are on the same page from front office to their coaching staff regarding their interest in Tebow, who would assume the Brad Smith role in the team’s offense. Depending on the manner in which starter Mark Sanchez plays, Tebow could be in line for even more.
In Green Bay, the problem becomes that Tebow would never see the field. With the league MVP at starting quarterback, it makes no sense to move Aaron Rodgers to the sidelines, even for one snap per game.
Regardless of how it all turns out, here’s hoping the Broncos include Tebow in the discussions, sending him to the team for which he wants to play. V.P. of football operations John Elway said in January that Tebow has earned the right to be the starting quarterback entering training camp. Though Elway necessarily won’t honor that commitment, Elway needs to remember that, but for Tebow’s performance down the stretch, the Broncos could have finished the season with the kind of record that never would have attracted Peyton Manning to town.
Yes, Tebow set the table for Manning’s arrival. The least the Broncos can do is ensure that Tebow will have some say regarding the next place he could end up being the meal ticket.