Well, at least it hasn’t turned into a circus.
The Jets have apparently reached full-scale mutiny proportions, as backup quarterback Tim Tebow reportedly asked out of their Wildcat package because he was frustrated with his role.
According to Rich Cimini and Jane McManus of ESPNNewYork.com, citing multiple unnamed sources,Tebow told coaches he didn’t want to be used in Wildcat plays against the Chargers.
Without Tebow running them, they used wide receiver Jeremy Kerley in the trick plays, for the first time this season. According to the report, Tebow went to coaches early in the week to tell them he didn’t want to be used situationally, giving them time to get Kerley ready.
When asked after the game who told him he wouldn’t be running the Wildcat plays, he replied: “It just kind of happens.”
Jets coach Rex Ryan said during his press conference Kerley was used for the element of surprise, and through a team spokesman it was a “coach’s decision,” when asked specifically if Tebow asked out.
“It’s been disappointing, obviously (the season) didn’t go as we thought, as I had hoped,” Tebow said. “But sometimes in life you have that. Sometimes you have setbacks and you have to look at them as an opportunity to step back up and keep working and figure out what to do.”
Taking his ball and going home runs counter to the popular perception of Tebow, but it’s also understandable at some level.
The Jets actively pursued him, with the promise of using him. They didn’t.
Anyone who competes would be disappointed, and it’s probably more of a surprise it took this long to become evident.