Tim Tebow’s career with the New York Jets is over. The team, which struggled last year and still has a giant question mark at the quarterback position, has decided to release Tebow.
The Jets made it official with a press release. Coach Rex Ryan said, “We have a great deal of respect for Tim Tebow...Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we all had hoped. Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this offseason. We wish him the best moving forward.”
Tebow was traded to the Jets from the Denver Broncos, despite leading Denver to the playoffs and a dramatic win over the Pittsburgh Steelers that seems so long ago now. Denver signed Peyton Manning and traded Tebow to the Jets. According to ESPN, that trade cost the franchise a fourth-round draft pick, $1.5 million and another $2.5 million they have to pay Denver as part of the agreement.
The trade never worked out and general manager Mike Tannenbaum was fired after the team finished with a 6-10 record last season.
Even while the season was in shambles, Ryan didn’t trust Tebow with the team. USA Today notes that late in the season, when Mark Sanchez was benched, Ryan picked Greg McElroy to start over Tebow.
The Jets still have to figure out their quarterback situation. They drafted Geno Smith over the weekend and now have five quarterbacks on the roster.
As for Tebow’s future, it looks like he might be done in the NFL. NBC Sports notes that the only other team that many thought he would go to - the Jacksonville Jaguars - have already said they are not interested in him.