The Jacksonville Jaguars have already said they are not interested in Tim Tebow, but after unveiling a new logo, would the team try to drum up excitement with a trade if the quarterback changed positions?
The fan base in the city has been stagnant for years due to poor play from the team and although the new general manager said that he was not interested in acquiring Tebow, he was only speaking about him as a quarterback. While Tebow hasn't publically said he would change positions, that might be his only options left in the NFL.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, one general manager who wanted to remain anonymous said that: "I think his career is over without playing another position."
The Jaguars were considered to be the top team to acquire Tebow once trade rumors started floating, mainly because he played his college football in the area at Florida and he grew up in the city.
The only problem for Tebow though, was that new Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said in his first press conference that team was focused elsewhere. "I can't imagine a scenario in which he'll be a Jacksonville Jaguar -- even if he's released," he said last month.
While the Jaguars appear set at quarterback with Blaine Gabbert, Tebow could be a nice fit if he changed his position. While playing with the Broncos he proved that he could do a lot once the ball is in his hands, helping bring the team back multiple times late in games. Tebow could be a solid option at full back or tight end, especially if the team used him in multiple schemes and sets.
Last year with the Jets Tebow was a disaster, but that was because the team did not know how and did not try to use him. When put in a situation where the coaching staff is working with him, Tebow can be successful, as evidenced by his play in Denver. He led the Broncos to a division title and a playoff win after hitting Demariyus Thomas with a short pass that he took 80-yards on the first play of overtime against the Steelers last year.
With the Jets this season Tebow did not put up any good stats and he was used mostly as a decoy and as a personal punt protector on special teams. Coach Mike Westhoff called the entire situation a "mess" and that the Jets did not handle the quarterback well.
This season Tebow was on the field for only 73 offensive plays, gaining 102 rushing yards on 32 carries. He also had just eight pass attempts, completing six of them for 39 yards. This season he scored zero touchdowns. The Jets went just 6-10 and Mark Sanchez was so bad that Tebow likely wouldn't have done better, but New York fans can only speculate because they never gave him a shot.
Many quarterbacks that were first round draft picks have washed out of the league, but Tebow has shown he possesses "football" skills that extend beyond the quarterback position. He can break tackles and he has a knack for improvisation.
The Jaguars could really shake things up and invigorate the fan base with a trade. The team has already agreed to play four home games in London over the next four years to help drum up support for the franchise, and Tebow could be a good face to trot out globally.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan was rumored to want Tebow when he first took over the team, but that talk has cooled. Khan has proven to be a progressive owner and despite his general manager's misgivings, Tebow could help turn things around for good in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars went just 2-14 this season and ranked 21st in the league in passing yards and 30th in rushing yards per game. The team was tied for 29th in defensive scoring, allowing 27 points per game and only averaged 15 points themselves.
The team unveiled a new logo on Tuesday featuring a sleeker, more modern looking Jaguar and the team could benefit financially if Tebow was acquired, considering he led the league in jersey sales at a time as a backup quarterback.
The Jaguars hired a new coach in Gus Bradley and trading for Tebow could help jolt the roster and give Jacksonville fans something new to cheer about.
