The Jacksonville Jaguars introduced David Caldwell as their new general manager Thursday and he quickly shut down any speculation that Tim Tebow will play for the team next season.
“I can’t imagine a scenario in which he’ll be a Jacksonville Jaguar — even if he’s released,” Caldwell said.
Tebow, who is from Jacksonville, played a limited role in the New York Jets offense this season after being traded there by the Denver Broncos. ESPN reports that Tebow will likely be released after having a disappointing season.
“It’s not my decision,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said. “I want to do whatever to help this team win. Who the players are is really the general manager’s and coaches’ — it’s a football-side operation decision. It’s really not my decision.”
Khan was highly interested in acquiring Tebow after the Broncos begin shopping him last year. But his interest in Tebow was not the same as management and the coaching staff, who were looking to go in a different direction.
Tebow is viewed as the prized quarterback by most people in Florida, especially in the Jacksonville area. He won two national championships with the Florida Gators as the starting quarterback. Tebow’s notoriety intrigued Khan because he figured that Tebow would increase the sale of tickets and merchandise, which would lift the franchise back into the headlines.
Now Khan must put his faith in Caldwell to find a new coach to work with Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne. Caldwell fired first-year coach Mike Mularkey on Thursday.
“We plan to address the quarterback situation, obviously,” Caldwell said. “Blaine is the second-youngest quarterback in the NFL, but we’re going to have open competition. Whether it’s through draft or through free agency, we’ll bring in some more people to compete at the quarterback position. We’re going to let the best player win that position.”
Tebow’s future for next year still remains unclear despite having two years remaining on his contract. He spoke for the first time on Thursday since the season ended and said he does not have any regrets about his decision to go to the Jets.
“I believe everything happens for a reason,” Tebow told Fox Business Network. “I don’t know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future and in that there is a lot of peace and a lot of comfort.”
