Tim Tebow releases a statement after signing with Jags
After working out with the team and seemingly catching the eyes of certain members on the staff, Tim Tebow has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’ll join the team Thursday as they are in Phase 2 of offseason workouts in hopes to stick to the roster as a tight end.
After signing, the former first round pick released a statement and it appears he understands he has a true test on his hands. Still, despite not playing the tight end position in the NFL, it’s a challenge Tebow embraces.
“I want to thank the Jaguars for the opportunity to compete and earn the chance to be part of this team,” Tebow said according to the Jags. “I know it will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I embrace. I am dedicated to taking the direction of our coaching staff and learning from my teammates. I appreciate everyone’s support as I embark on this new journey.”
Not only will Tebow be trying to make a return to the NFL at a new position, but he’ll be trying to do so at 33 years of age. He will also be trying to return after being out of the league since 2015.
The Jags seem to have plenty of blocking tight ends on their roster between Chris Manhertz and Luke Farrell, but need a pass-catching threat at the moment. It’s hard to imagine that Tebow makes them significantly better in that category, but the offseason is the perfect time to at least see.
A report first surfaced on the Jags’ decision to work out Tebow the day of the NFL draft. According to Jags coach Urban Meyer, there was more than one workout (one of which he witnessed) and the former quarterback looked impressive in terms of athleticism.
“We have not signed Tim,” Meyer said last week on Cris Collinsworth’s PFF podcast. “There’s a thought going around. He was in the best shape of his life, asked to see if he could work out with a couple of our coaches. I wasn’t even there. They came back to me and said, ‘Wow, this guy’s in incredible shape.’ Then I went another time and watched them try him out. And they said go work on these things, he comes back later.
They try him out again, I’m not there, they come in and they said, ‘Wow, this guy’s ball skills, he’s a great athlete, he looks like he’s 18-years-old, not 20, whatever he is, 33. I said, ‘Guys you don’t understand, now this guy is, he’s the most competitive maniac you’re ever gonna talk to and let’s give it a shot.’”
Only time will tell if others share the same thoughts as Meyer as Tebow will take the practice field Thursday for the first time since he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. If he looks like he belongs, he should be able to stick to the 90-man roster until the preseason where the Jags can get an even better reading on him.
