The media circus and scrutiny surrounding Tim Tebow’s brief NFL career remains a detractor to many prospective teams. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Tim Tebow’s future as an NFL quarterback has been a hotly debated topic since his freshman season at Florida. Three years after Tebow was drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos and nine days after the New York Jets placed him on waivers, the former Heisman Trophy winner finds himself without an NFL job.

Sports television network execs may be waiting to pounce on the world’s most influential athlete according to Forbes, but are there ANY teams still considering taking a chance on Tebow behind center?

Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports reports the same hype and media circus that makes Tebow attractive for ratings and sponsors is likely keeping him out of most NFL camps. Some of the chatter Silver dissects includes a Patriots source saying the team is unlikely to sign Tebow because Coach Bill Belichick “hates” him as a player. The Patriots, with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels — the former Broncos coach who drafted Tebow — have been linked to Tebow as a possible destination. But the Patriots’ source said the team won’t take a chance on Tebow as a situational player because “they wouldn’t like the circus that comes with it.”

PHOTOS: Classic shots of Tebow through the years

Circus seems to be a familiar thread that NFL executives fear when considering adding Tebow to their roster — even if it’s of no fault of his own. He’s a proven leader, but his poor mechanics, footwork, throwing motion and lack of accuracy appear to be too much of a gamble when combined with the media and fan frenzy that have followed his NFL career in Denver and New York.

Silver reports:

“He seems like a great guy to have on a team, and I’d be tempted to bring him in as our backup,” one NFC head coach said  Wednesday. “But it’s just not worth dealing with all the stuff that comes with it.”

In a business in which coaches and general managers strive to avoid distractions, Tebow, as one NFC offensive coordinator told me last spring, carries more of a stigma than Terrell Owens.

Or, in the words of one AFC head coach to whom I spoke recently: “You don’t want to put up with the circus.”

Tim Tebow is still talked about despite not playing much in 2012. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Surveys conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research has found that Tim Tebow is the most influential athlete in 2013, Forbes reported on Monday. Following Tebow on Forbes’ list are Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and Derek Jeter as the most influential athletes of 2013.

Tebow, who has over 2.2 million followers on Twitter, appeared in 11 games for the Jets last season and accumulated just 39 yards passing on eight attempts. Stephen Master, Senior Vice President of Sports for Nielsen, said it’s “incredible” for a backup quarterback to be talked about so much but cited New York’s major media market as fueling Tebow’s influence.

Tebow was released by the Jets on April 29 and was recently offered a job as a quarterback coach for the Lingerie Football League.

Tim Tebow is looking for an NFL job after the Jets put him on waivers. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

If you thought Jerry Jones’ penchant for pursuing high-profile free-agents and keeping the Dallas Cowboys in the news would generate interest in signing Tim Tebow, it’s not going to happen. At least that’s what the Cowboys owner and general manager said during a conference call with season-ticket holders Wednesday, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Jones deflected a question about signing Tebow with talk about starter Tony Romo and backup Kyle Orton.

“We feel really good about Kyle Orton,” Jones responded according to the Morning News. “And that’s where it all starts and stops right there. He will be used differently to some degree than we’ll use [Tony] Romo. But he’s very capable of winning big games and we know how important that back-up slot is, especially if it’s temporary if you don’t have Romo. So we’re pretty set at quarterback and we wish Tim all the luck and all the best in the world. But we’re going forward there. What we need to look at at quarterback is what we might be doing with the third quarterback, and that remains to be seen.”

Tebow became a free agent after clearing waivers Tuesday. Tebow quarterbacked the Broncos to the 2011 playoffs, but played sparingly for the Jets after they traded for him prior to the 2012 season.

Tim Tebow officially became an unrestricted free agent after clearing NFL waivers Tuesday.

None of the 31 other NFL teams claimed the quarterback after the Jets placed him on waivers Monday. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner from Florida is now free to negotiate with any team.

Tebow reportedly has already received offers from the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, the Omaha Beef, a Nebraska indoor league team and the Lingerie Football League.

Tebow attempted just eight passes and rushed for 3.2 yards per carry during his lone season with the Jets. The Jets traded for Tebow after he quarterbacked the Broncos to the 2011 playoffs.

Former Jets QB Tim Tebow went unclaimed on waivers.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2013

Four days after he was picked in the second round of the NFL Draft, rookie quarterback Geno Smith has left his agents, reports Sports Business Journal‘s Liz Mullen on Twitter.

Source: QB Geno Smith has left his agents at Select Sports. Smith, 2nd round pick of NY Jets, cannot hire another agent for 5 days. #NFL

— Liz Mullen (@SBJLizMullen) April 30, 2013

Smith, the former West Virginia standout, was expected by most draft pundits to be the top quarterback taken this year. His name was floated as an early first-round pick, though a fall into the second round started to look like a possibility closer to the draft. The New York Daily News‘ Manish Mehta reports that fall is the reason Smith left Select Sports.

How about this: Geno Smith thought he would be & should be the No. 1 overall pick, I’m told. That’s why he fired his agents. #nyj

— Manish Mehta(@MMehtaNYDN) April 30, 2013

Smith later denied that he fired his agent “because of the whole draft experience.”

#Jets QB Geno Smith on Firing Agent: I don’t want to shed too much light on it but it’s not because of the whole draft experience.#SXMSports

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 30, 2013

The Jets grabbed Smith and turned their quarterback situation into an even bigger circus. The team took a first step toward solving its issues by releasing Tim Tebow on Monday. Whether the team holds on to starter Mark Sanchez or hands the reigns to Smith remains to be seen.

Mehta also reported that Smith won’t join Jay-Z’s stable of clients, which already includes Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz.

Tim Tebow received an offer to join the formerly named Lingerie Football League as a quarterbacks coach. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow is currently looking for employment after being cut by the team after one season of service on Monday.

While he waits to field offers from other football teams or leagues, one league is offering their services as a quarterbacks coach.

The Legends Football League (formerly the Lingerie Football League) sent a letter to Tebow’s representatives to try to land him a gig, reports Yahoo! Sports. 

Part of the letter reads:

Now that it appears that Mr. Tebow’s career in the National Football League may be coming to an end, we at Legends Football League, LLC, would like to extend him an offer to become our Quarterbacks Coach nationally.

Tebow’s NFL credentials: 47.9% career passer, 17 touchdowns, nine interceptions and 989 rushing yards.

The league is going through a change, getting rid of the skimpy outfits its players were known for wearing, hence the word Lingerie.

PHOTOS: Classic shots of Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow was waived by the New York Jets. (Getty Images)

The inevitable move finally happened: the New York Jets have waived quarterback Tim Tebow, who was informed of the decision Monday morning after reporting to workouts.

It has only been 15 months since Tebow led the Denver Broncos to a Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. But many have questioned whether Tebow is starting NFL quarterback material, and the Jets hurt his chances by releasing him after free agency and the draft.

The Jets drafted West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith with the eighth pick in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday and were carrying six QBs on the roster, including Mark Sanchez, former Jaguars quarterback David Garrard and Greg McElroy. Parting ways with Tebow brings the Jets down to five QBs.

Earlier reports suggest the Jets intend on keeping Sanchez at least into the preseason.

After the Broncos traded Tebow last year to the Jets, he put up a poor performance for New York, attempting only eight total passes while averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Rex Ryan gave his rookie QB McElroy chances over Tebow, while using Tebow sparingly out of the wildcat and in punt protection formations.

PHOTOS: Classic shots of Tim Tebow

Ryan had kind words to say about Tebow following the release. Via ProFootballTalk:

“We have a great deal of respect for Tim Tebow,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said in a release.  “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.”

Kind words by Rex Ryan on Tebow. Actions speak louder. Jets hurt his chances of catching on by releasing him post-free agency, post-draft—
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2013

Well, that was quick. The @nyjets and @TimTebow no longer follow each other on Twitter.—
Eli Langer (@EliLanger) April 29, 2013

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez says the team was responsible for the excessive Tim Tebow coverage. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images Sport)

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has pretty much kept his mouth shut about the circus atmosphere surrounding backup Tim Tebow coming to town last offseason.

Now Sanchez says that the team was ultimately responsible for how they handled the Tebow situation and the excessive coverage that came with it.

“I just don’t know if it was the best situation for either of us, but you play with the cards you are dealt with and do the very best you can,” Sanchez said about the Tebow coverage, via the New York Daily News.

Sanchez is due $8.25 million next season, part of a five-year, $58.25 million contract signed last year, while Tebow has been rumored to be on the trading block.

More from the New York Daily News report:

“Well, I think part of that, too, is ESPN didn’t necessarily sneak in overnight at our training camp,” Sanchez added about the daily on-site coverage by the cable outlet in Cortland, NY, last year. “They had to get permission to go. You can avoid that stuff on your own if you like, in my opinion, but he’s a popular guy and people gravitate towards the guy. He’s a special person and a heck of a competitor, so people want to know what’s going on, but that’s all I got on that.”

Tim Tebow’s future as an NFL quarterback could be in doubt for the 2013 season. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Just as Tim Tebow’s quarterback stock seems to be at an all-time low, a personal quarterback coach claims he’s fixed the passing mechanics that have rendered the former Heisman Trophy winner an NFL enigma.

Steve Clarkson, a well-known quarterback consultant who has also worked with NFL quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Leinart, told Newsday he spent three days in February in Arizona tinkering with all elements of Tebow’s passing, including his notoriously awkward throwing motion that hinders his accuracy. Clarkson said it was Tebow’s footwork that was negatively affecting his passing — and the problem has been fixed, thanks in part to some martial arts work:

“The footwork is essentially what caused a lot of his looping motion,” Clarkson told Newsday. “A lot of what was happening with his throwing motion and why it was elongated was because of the way he placed his feet at the end of his drop. Right before he’d make his throw, his hips would stop at mid-motion, and the ball would come off in funny places. So that was one thing that we really honed in on, was trying to tie his feet up.”

Clarkson said Tim Tebow still has a future as an NFL quarterback, if a team will give him another chance.

“I would hope wherever he ends up, they give him an opportunity to play, because if they do, they’ll be pleasantly surprised,” Clarkson said. “I think the guy can still play.”

Tebow, originally selected by the Broncos with the 25th pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, remains under contract with the Jets for the 2013 season and reported Monday morning for the Jets’ offseason training program. New general manager John Idzik has not discussed Tebow’s future with the Jets following a season in which he was relegated to third-string quarterback after starter Mark Sanchez was benched.

Tebow has been linked to several offseason moves including a return to his hometown of Jacksonville that was refuted by the Jaguars’ new general manager David Caldwell.

Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow plans to attend workouts next week if he is still on the team. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow plans to attend the voluntary workouts the team has scheduled next week if he is still on the roster, reports the New York Post.

Tebow has been the source of trade rumors since the end of a disappointing 2012 season, which saw the Jets fall to a 6-10 record.

Tebow was traded to the Jets last March after spending the first two seasons of his career with the Denver Broncos. Tebow threw the ball only eight times last season, completing six passes for 39 yards. He also ran the ball 32 times for 102 yards.

The Jets could again see a scene similar to this come training camp. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images Sport)

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan says Mark Sanchez will be the starter come training camp, but the other quarterbacks on the roster will have a chance to compete for a spot.

Ryan said the team needs to get better at that position and that Sanchez’s spot as the starter is not guaranteed.

“The first snap, he’ll be the guy running out there first,” Ryan said of Sanchez, via ESPN.com.“But there’s going to be competition at that spot, there’s no question about it.”

The Jets brought in David Garrard, who hasn’t played since 2010, to compete with Sanchez. And there is always the question about backup Tim Tebow.

“He’s on the roster, and he’ll get a chance to compete,” Ryan said about Tebow. “We’ll see how the offseason plays out, but right now Tim is on our roster.”

Whether Tebow is on the roster in the next couple of months is certainly up for debate. Tebow’s name has swirled in trade rumors for the past two months and it was reported that the team tried to trade him during the scouting combine. The team could also release him.

If he can’t find any NFL work, Arena Football awaits. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Tim Tebow is still on the Jets roster for now, but he will undoubtedly be released soon. Not one NFL team has expressed interest in taking Tebow, not even his hometown Jaguars.

If Tebow can’t find a new team, Orlando Predators owner Brett Bouchy is ready to sign him.

“Tim would certainly want to first exhaust his opportunities in the NFL, but we’d love to have him,” Orlando Predators owner Brett Bouchy told the Orlando Sentinel. “I think he would definitely improve as a quarterback in our league.”

Tebow wouldn’t be the first NFL QB to try Arena Football. Kurt Warner spent three years with the Iowa Barnstormers before signing with an NFL team.

“Kurt Warner told me once that when he got back to the NFL after playing in the Arena League, the NFL game was like slow motion,” said Bouchy. “Everything in the Arena League is just so much faster and quicker and predicated on accuracy. Whenever Tim is willing, we have a contract waiting for him to sign.”

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow cancelled an appearance with the First Baptist Church of Dallas amid “new information” that was brought to his attention. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow took to Twitter on Thusday morning to announce that he is cancelling a speaking engagement with the First Baptist Church of Dallas in light of “new information that has been brought to my attention.”

It’s unclear what the “new information” is that caused him to back out of the April 28 appearance. As the Dallas Morning News points out, the Church is led by Dr. Robert Jeffress who has been known for making controversial comments:

Jeffress has been outspoken against homosexuality, said Islam and Mormonism are “heresy from the pit of hell” and tied Catholicism to “a Babylonian mystery religion” that corrupted the early Christian church.

But Jeffress contends it is simply his job to preach what he believes the Bible says is the truth:

“I think as pastors we have a duty to preach ‘the whole counsel of God,’ and not just discuss those that are politically correct. It’s my role to speak clearly on the issues on which the Bible speaks clearly. It’s my role to preach what the Bible says, and that includes the controversial issues. [T]he reason for this firestorm is not because the word of God has changed. It’s because society has changed.”

A rep of the Church gave TMZ a little more color as to why they think Tebow cancelled on them:

“We are saddened that Mr. Tebow felt pressure to back out of his long-planned commitment from numerous New York and national sports and news media who grossly misrepresented past comments made by our pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress, specifically related to issues of homosexuality and AIDS, as well as Judaism.”

While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic…—
Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013

… First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my…—
Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013

…upcoming appearance. I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring Faith, Hope and Love to all those…—
Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013

…needing a brighter day. Thank you for all of your love and support. God Bless!—
Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013

Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow could be on his way out of town via a trade. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

The New York Jets fire sale that saw them cut five players and save over $30 million in salary cap space this week is not over.

The team will attempt to trade backup quarterback Tim Tebow during the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend, reports ESPN.com. The Jets are approximately $5.7 million under the cap.

The Jets can not officially trade Tebow until March 12 and hopes some team will make a deal for the third-year quarterback. If they are unable to deal him, the team will most likely release him, the report says. Tebow is scheduled to earn $2.5 million next season.

The team traded for Tebow last offseason but didn’t get much from him on the field. Tebow completed six of eight passes for 39 yards and ran 32 times for 102 yards.

GALLERY: QUARTERBACKS WHO STARTED OVER

Time Tebow will not be released by the Jets. (Rich Schultz, Getty Images)

The New York Jets will not release Tim Tebow outright and will instead seek a trade partner for the quarterback, according to a report from Adam Schefter at ESPN.

This, despite reports that few if any teams in the league are interested in taking on the former NCAA national champion. In Schefter’s report, one NFL general manager is quoted as saying that “I think his career is over without playing another position.”

Tebow featured in just a handful of offensive plays for the Jets this season after being traded from the Denver Broncos.

Owner Woody Johnson says Tebow was “forced” on him. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Former Broncos GM Ted Sundquist, who interviewed for the Jets GM job nine days ago, said owner Woody Johnson told him the Tebow trade wasn’t his idea. Johnson said the trade was “forced” on him and team president Neil Glat.

Johnson and Glat are added to a growing list of Jets sources who never wanted Tebow. Rex Ryan also washed his hands of it, saying that he would have played Tebow if he thought the backup QB could help the team win.

Johnson seems to have cast blame for the Tebow drama on former GM Mike Tannenbaum, who got the ax  after the Jets’ disappointing season.

The Jets are expected to part ways with Tebow next month.

Have the Jacksonville Jaguars already nixed acquiring hometown hero Tim Tebow?

In December, ESPN.com reported that it was a virtual certainty that Tebow would land in Jacksonville via trade or after he was released by the New York Jets following a 2012 season in which he created more headlines and rumors than touchdowns.

The Jaguars’ struggle to sell out home games and Blaine Gabbert’s less-than-stellar sophomore season as a starting quarterback topped the list of reasons why the franchise might be willing to take a chance on the former Heisman Trophy winner and Florida Gators Hall of Famer.

In January 2012, Jaguars owner Shad Khan even told reporters that — given a do-over of the 2010 NFL Draft — he would have traded down and drafted Tebow.

Or maybe not. In a press conference announcing his hire as general manager, David Caldwell said he could not imagine a scenario in which Tebow would become a Jaguar — even if he’s released. Caldwell had already made a big change in the Jaguars’ 2013 makeup by firing head coach Mike Mularkey after one season.

Whether Caldwell intentionally closed the door on Tebow and the media sideshow that would certainly follow, or is being cautious discussing a player that remains under contract with the Jets remains to be seen.

Khan and Caldwell no doubt discussed Tebow’s future — or lack thereof — in Jacksonville during the interview/hiring process.

Caldwell on Tebow: "He is a member of the NY Jets. I can't imagine a scenario where he'd be a Jacksonville Jaguars even if he's released"—
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2013

Shad Khan wanted Tebow last year, just hired GM who says out loud doesn't want him. Credit to Khan for not forcing the issue.—
Judy Battista (@judybattista) January 10, 2013

Mark Sanchez will start for the Jets now that Greg McElroy has a concussion. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The drama continues to unfold with the New York Jets.

The team announced Thursday morning that third-string quarterback Greg McElroy, who was slated to get his second career start on Dec. 30, is now out with concussion-like symptoms. Head coach Rex Ryan had to decide between starting Mark Sanchez, who is having the worst season of his career, or Tim Tebow.

Ryan has decided to give the nod to Sanchez, who will start at quarterback for the Jets’ final regular season game on Sunday in Buffalo against the Bills, the team that New York beat in Week 1 of the regular season.

Ryan found out about McElroy’s condition at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday after McElroy reported headaches while lifting weights, according to a report from New York Daily News Jets beat reporter, Manish Mehta:

“There’s no way I’m going to play him. There’s no doubt. I don’t care what the tests say. We‘re going to err on the side of caution. So he definitely will be out for the game.”

Ryan said he was “stunned” to find out about the concussion-like symptoms, adding that Tebow was not happy about his decision to start Sanchez:

“Mark has had success earlier in the season against Buffalo. He’s very familiar with them. That’s the reason I’m going with Mark. I had the conversation with both Mark and Tim…. about what I was going to do. Obviously, Tim’s not happy with that. That’s what you expect.”

#RL Jets HC Rex Ryan has just announced: Greg McElroy has concussion, Mark Sanchez will start Jets' season finale @ BUF on Sunday.—
New York Jets (@nyjets) December 27, 2012

Rex found out at 9:30am mcElroy had headaches. Then Rex told Sanchez and Tebow about his decision: "Obviously Tim's not happy with that"—
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 27, 2012

McElroy experienced headaches this morning while lifting weights. Right now he is won evaluated for concussion. Rex says he won't play him—
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 27, 2012

This is a surreal ending to a surreal QB drama for the Jets this season. "I was stunned by it," Rex said. #nyj—
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 27, 2012

Tim Tebow reportedly asked to be left out of the Jets Wildcat packages on Sunday. (Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow asked to be taken out of the team’s Wildcat packages on Sunday, peeved at the coaching staff for passing over him in favor of Greg McElroy as the team’s starter this week.

ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini and Jane McManus reported that Tebow became so irritated that the Jets chose McElroy to start that he told the staff that he did not want to be part of the “situational” packages.

Tebow was active during the Jets’ 27-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, but he did not appear in the game. The Jets used wide receiver Jeremy Kerley in Wildcat packages. Kerley completed the one pass he attempted, a 42-yard strike to Clyde Gates. That outpaces Tebow’s 39 yards passing all season.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan said after the game that he used Kerley in the Wildcat formation because he wanted to catch the Chargers defense off-guard.

“I also wanted to give Kerley a shot at running some Wildcat things,” Ryan said. “We knew they wouldn’t expect him to throw the ball, and that was the case.”

When asked about Kerley’s feature in the Wildcat package, Tebow said afterward that “it just kind of happens.”

Tebow has been frustrated overall by a lack of playing time this season. He has appeared in 11 games while attempting only eight passes and 32 rushes all season.

ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen reported on Saturday that it was a “virtual certainty” Tebow would play with the Jacksonville Jaguars next season after the Jets either trade him there or they release him.

Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow will reportedly end up in Jacksonville next season. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow’s future has been talked about for the past week and it seems as though he may have a chance to kickstart his career again.

ESPN.com reports that it is “a virtual certainty” that Tebow will play in next season for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tebow, who is from the Jacksonville area, was traded to the Jets in March after leading the Denver Broncos to the playoffs but has gotten limited playing time this season.

Tebow still has two years remaining on his contract, but would only cost the Jets a little more than $1 million against the salary cap if he is cut.

The Jaguars offered a fourth-round pick to Denver in March and proposed to pay $3 million to the Broncos to compensate for money that had been advanced to Tebow.

“Sometimes, things just happen out of your control,” Tebow said earlier this week. “Obviously, you might not be pleased with them or happy about it, but you just try to handle it as best you can.”

This season, Tebow has played in 11 games, completing six of eight passes and has run the ball 32 times for 102 yards in only 72 offensive snaps. The Jaguars have Chad Henne and injured Blaine Gabbert on the roster at quarterback and at 2-12 is tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the league’s worst record.

And @mortreport reports it's "a virtual certainty" that Tim Tebow will play in 2013 for the Jacksonville Jaguars.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 23, 2012

Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow has a lot of questions concerning his future. Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow will request to be traded or released after the season on the assumption that Greg McElroy starts the team’s final two games, reports the New York Daily News.

McElroy will start on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, putting Mark Sanchez on the bench. The Jets (6-8) have already been eliminated from playoff contention with Monday night’s 14-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans, in which Sanchez threw four interceptions and lost a fumble.

Sanchez is guaranteed $8.25 million for next season, making it hard for the team to release him or risk taking a huge salary cap hit. NFL.com reports that it is “highly unlikely,” that Tebow will sit idle beyond this season in the wake of the team’s decision to start McElroy.

When asked about Tebow’s plan for the future, Jets head coach Rex Ryan was less than forthcoming. Tebow’s base salary for next season is scheduled to be $2.6 million.

“I can answer this question a million ways — frontward, backward, sideways, anything else,” Ryan said. “It’s my decision and I based it on a gut feeling or whatever. Everything it comes down to is, I believe it’s the best decision for our team. That’s the only factor that goes into these decisions.”

Next domino in Jets QB situation: Tim Tebow will request to be traded/released after season assuming McElroy starts last 2 games, per source—
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 19, 2012

Jets head coach Rex Ryan is reportedly “leaning toward” starting Greg McElroy at quarterback over Mark Sanchez on Sunday. (Elsa/Getty Images)

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is “leaning toward” giving Greg McElroy the start over Mark Sanchez on Sunday when the Jets take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported Monday night.

La Canfora reported that the debate between the Jets’ coaching staff and front office centers more on Sanchez’s value to the team. Based purely on football, he reported, most of the staff prefers McElroy at this point.

From La Canfora’s report:

The staff has noted the improved pace and verve of the offense during McElroy’s brief stint replacing starter Mark Sanchez and rallying the team for a win over Arizona. The players responded well to the novice passer in the huddle, and there was a renewed spirit from the moribund offense, which Sanchez continued to slump and turn the ball over.

One source suggested to La Canfora it was 65-35 in McElroy’s favor but noted that Ryan still was set to meet with general manager Mike Tannenbaum about the issue tonight.

The Jets trailed the Arizona Cardinals 3-0 on Sunday when Ryan benched Sanchez, who had thrown three interceptions. McElroy led a 10-play, 69-yard drive that culminated in the eventual game-winning touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.

Earlier Monday, Ryan said that he “needed a little more time” to decide which quarterback would start the team’s next game at Jacksonville, but he said he would likely choose by Wednesday.

At 5-7, the Jets are two games behind both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals for the AFC’s sixth and final playoff spot.

Another item of note from La Canfora’s report: Tim Tebow is not being considered as a starting option, regardless of health.

Tim Tebow edges President Barack Obama in a Nielsen poll for most preferred Thanksgiving guest. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Beating out President Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Big Bird, New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow was voted by Americans in a Nielsen poll as the guest they’d most prefer to have seated with them at a Thanksgiving dinner table, according to a report from The New York Post:

The survey, released today by Destination America, shows that 23 percent of people in the United States said they would prefer the Jets backup to the Commander in Chief, who only garnered five percent of the vote.

Lady Gaga and Big Bird also received more votes than Obama.

Tebow and the Jets will be celebrating Thanksgiving doing battle with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, as the two teams kick off a game Thursday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Jets are coming off their fourth win of the season after a road win last week against the St. Louis Rams. The Patriots beat the Jets in Week 7 and currently lead the AFC East as the team looks for its eighth win of the season tonight.

Tim Tebow said the criticism from within the Jets makes him want to be a better teammate. (Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

“Terrible Tebow” may be his new nickname, but in typical fashion, New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow responded to a “terrible” tag reportedly placed on him by an anonymous defensive starter on the team by taking the high road.

According to a report from Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, Tebow said that the new “terrible” description is just all the more reason why he needs to work on becoming not only a better quarterback but a better teammate:

“I always find the good and the positive in every situation and the positive of this is to go and work a little harder and build better relationships with your teammates.”

Earlier this week, there were reports from The New York Daily News that one of his own teammates from the Jets called him “terrible.” The criticism, though unsubstantiated, prompted head coach Rex Ryan to take a hard-line against those who choose to insult someone from within their own organization,  saying it’s a cowardly move from whoever said it. Ryan reportedly asked his players at a meeting who made the comment, but no one confessed:

“Did I address it? I absolutely addressed it. Because I think it’s a cowardly thing. If you’re not going to put your name to it, I think that’s about as cowardly of a thing as there is.”

The Jets enter Week 11 with a 3-6 record. Tebow will have the opportunity to silence his critics and perhaps his own teammates as the team heads to St. Louis for a game on Sunday against the Rams.

Mark Sanchez will remain the Jets starting QB, while coaches try to get Tim Tebow involved in the offense. (Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

Another ugly loss — 30-9 to the Dolphins — sends the Jets into their bye week with a 3-5 record and a fanbase that’s calling for Tim Tebow to take over for Mark Sanchez at quarterback. Head coach Rex Ryan told the media this morning that Sanchez will remain the starter when the Jets play Nov. 11 at Seattle.

“Offensively, the problems aren’t one man,” Ryan said Monday. “If it was one man, that would be easy to do. But it’s not on one person. Sometimes, we’re accurate with the football (and) we drop some passes. Sometimes, the pass might not have been as accurate as we wanted it to be. Then there’s times when our protection let us down.”

If it was one guy, I think it’s easy to say we’d make that change,” Ryan said. “But I think Mark gives us the best chance to win. That’s how I feel. Can Tim be successful? Yeah, absolutely. We’ll look at that as well. But in my opinion, Mark as the starting quarterback gives my football team the best chance to win.”

“Every competitor wants to be out there playing more,” Ryan said. “It wouldn’t be shocking if that’s how he felt.”

Ryan said his coaching staff will use the bye week to draw up more offensive plays that can use Tebow’s unique abilities.

“I think we’ll take a hard look at how we’re using him, what we’re asking him to do,” Ryan said. “Are there other things we can do with him? We will definitely look at that.”

Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow has trademarked his signature pose “Tebowing.”

Tebow’s signature “Tebowing” stance has been trademarked. The paperwork was filed back in April, when two fans also wanted to own the term “Tebowing,” and the rights were finally awarded to Tebow.

The Jets backup quarterback is insistent that he is concerned about preserving the stance as a prayer than making money off of it.

“I know it was something that was cool for me in the past, but it’s not something I do as ‘Tebowing,’” Tebow said. “It’s something I do that’s prayer for me and then it got hyped up as Tebowing. So I think (it’s) just to control how it’s used as well. Make sure it’s used in the right way.”

Making money off “Tebowing” isn’t on the horizon for Tebow–but if he does, the profits will go to the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Rex Ryan said he would consider putting Tim Tebow in at running back against the Patriots on Sunday. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Jets coach Rex Ryan told the New York Daily News that playing Tim Tebow at running back was “a possibility” against the Patriots on Sunday.

“By playing quarterback, he knows all the positions,” said Ryan. So can you plug him in at running back? Can you plug him in at tight end? I think the answer is yes.”

Ryan added that the backup quarterback’s skill set was based on power rather than speed and called him a “jack-of-all-trades.” Tebow has lined up at running back this season but only as a blocker.

The Jets have suffered a number of injuries to the backfield, including running backs Bilal Powell, out with a dislocated shoulder, and Joe McKnight, who has a high ankle sprain.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez’s job appears to be safe…for now. (Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson made an appearance on CNBC’s show Squawk Box Wednesday morning to talk about the state of his team.

Among the things he discussed was about quarterback Mark Sanchez’s future status as a starter.

“Never is a long, long time period,”  Johnson said when asked if the Jets start Tim Tebow over Sanchez. “We see — I see the same things in Mark Sanchez as that I saw when I first met him.  He’s still a young quarterback.  This is a very, very — probably the most difficult position athletically and mentally that there is in all of sports.  Because you look out there, everybody’s trying to deceive you and the other guys [are] trying to get at you.”

Johnson also said that Tebow is in the team’s future plans.

“Are we gonna keep Tebow?” Johnson said. “Absolutely.  He’ll be with us three years, and I think he’s gonna be a real valuable asset in helping us win games.”

Tim Tebow could have an advocate in the Jets’ front office (Joel Auerbach, Getty Images)

The quarterback controversy in New York continues, and now some powerful voices are getting involved.

According to an ESPN report, Jets owner Woody Johnson has begun pushing for Tebow to start at quarterback for the Jets, after the team started with a disappoint 2-2 record and have seemed in disarray on and off the field.

Tebow has not been getting the amount of snaps he expected fomr the wildcat formation, according to the report, which also contains this passage:

[Woody] Johnson said the prospect of Tebow starting is “a question that will be asked more frequently if this progresses because this is unacceptable playing.” His first reference to [Mark] Sanchez wasn’t by name; he called him “this quarterback.”

Oh, Johnson gave the obligatory “he can get the job done” line, but Johnson didn’t sound nearly as confident in Sanchez as he did that sunny day in March, when the Grand Tebow Plan was only a blueprint, not reality.

Reality is here, folks, and what we have is yet another dimension to the Jets’ multilayered quarterback controversy: the owner.

The report goes on to speculate that the Jets owner will push his “football people” to play Tebow under center sooner rather than later if the team continues to perform the way it has.

Jets backup Tim Tebow says news about him requesting a trade are not true. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow said the speculation about him demanding a trade “are about as about as true as the report I live in Hoboken,” reports the New York Post.

For now, Tebow will remain in New York and as Mark Sanchez’s backup. Tebow’s debut in New York led to him carrying the ball five times for 11 yards in a victory over Buffalo.

“I think he will be a good soldier,” an NFL source said. “At the end of the year, I think he will express those concerns to the Jets. He will want to move on. The one thing about Tebow is he is the quintessential team player. He would never do anything that is going to undermine the team. But he’s football-aholic. It’s in his blood.”

Tebow was traded to the Jets in the offseason from the Denver Broncos, where he led the team to a division title and a playoff win.

Tim Tebow saw limited action in his New York Jets debut. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The New York Jets didn’t need Tim Tebow to dominate the Buffalo Bills, 48-28, in Sunday’s season-opener. Playing behind starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, Tebow didn’t generate much offense in his Jets debut, running for just 11 yards on five carries among his nine snaps in Wildcat formation.

Gary Myers of The New York Daily News believes Tebow won’t be satisfied if his backup role remains insignificant.

He won’t make a stink during the season, but if Mark Sanchez doesn’t provide an opening to play, then I think Tebow is one-and-done as a Jet.

Eight months after throwing an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime to help the Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Wild Card game, Tebow said all the right things despite his greatly diminished role in Sunday’s win.

“I definitely am very competitive, but the number one thing to help competitiveness is winning football games,” Tebow said. “However I can help this team to win football games – that’s the ultimate goal and that’s why we’re all here. Whatever I can do to help us win football games, that’s what I am going to do.”

Myers quotes an NFL source who believes the ultra-competitive Tebow will make a gracious, but determined exit after the Jets’ season ends.

“I think he will be a good soldier,” one NFL source said Wednesday. “At the end of the year, I think he will express those concerns to the Jets. He will want to move on. The one thing about Tebow is he is the quintessential team player. He would never do anything that is going to undermine the team. But he’s a football-aholic. It’s in his blood.”

If Tebow’s role remains the same, Myers’ source anticipates him asking the Jets for a trade. His contract runs through the 2014 season.

Hall of Famer Joe Namath doesn’t think Jets backup Tim Tebow has the skills to be the starter for the team. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Hall of Famer Joe Namath is hoping New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez stay healthy the entire season, because he can’t imagine backup Tim Tebow taking the reins.

Namath once again said Tebow has a great work ethic, but questions his skills and doesn’t think Tebow is even a suitable back-up.

“God forbid something happens to Sanchez. See, this is where I’m confused. I don’t think the second guy really is Tebow,” Namath told ESPN.com.

Tebow had only 11 yards on five carries in the Jets opening day blowout of the Buffalo Bills and has completed 47 percent of his passes over his career.

“I don’t think he can consistently play the quarterback position as we know it as opposed to the Wildcat without improving his passing accuracy,” Namath said of Tebow. “You’ve got to be more accurate than that today, and Tim’s got a big motion. He’s working on it, and he can improve it. So that remains to be seen.”

Peyton Manning’s Denver debut drew record ratings for NBC. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning’s first game as a Denver Bronco and return after a year-long NFL absence helped stoke the highest rating for any NBC prime time regular-season game, the network reported.

The Broncos-Steelers overnight rating of 18.0 was up 8 percent from last year’s first Sunday Night Football game (Cowboys- Jets)  and topped the previous record of 17.7 registered for the 2010 season-opener between the Saints and Vikings.

The Broncos routinely saw ratings spikes in the 2012 season and playoffs when then-sensation Tim Tebow was quarterbacking comebacks, and it’s interesting to note that last night’s Manning debut did not outdraw last year’s Broncos-Steelers playoff game according to Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post:

It wasn’t, however, a bigger TV event than the last game between the Broncos and Steelers, when the playoff game on CBS earned a national rating of 25.9 and 43 share, particularly late in the game. Variety, which covers the TV industry, estimated that 45 million viewers watched the Broncos win that game in overtime.

Mark Sanchez was “rattled” by the arrival of Tim Tebow, said Santonio Holmes. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Mark Sanchez was reportedly “rattled” in March when he heard the news that Tim Tebow was on his way to the New York Jets, said teammate Santonio Holmes, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com:

“I think since Day 1, it was a focus that kind of rattled him a little,” the veteran wide receiver said. “I use that word only to say that, ‘Wow, how did this happen?’ Those were words that came out of his mouth.”

Sanchez wasn’t available for comment following Holmes’ remarks on Wednesday, but Holmes told the media that he had responded to Sanchez’s comments in March by reassuring him that he is still the starting quarterback of the team:

“I basically said to him, ‘This is (your) team. You’re the starting quarterback. Tebow is here to help us win games,’” said Holmes, claiming he was repeating what coach Rex Ryan had told him about the trade. “”[T]hose were the exact words I gave to Mark, to give him a sense of security …”

Publicly, Sanchez has welcomed Tebow’s trade from the Denver Broncos to New York, saying the addition of a player of his stature will help win games and make the Jets a better overall team. But with this latest news from Holmes, it will be interesting to see if, in fact, Sanchez lets Tebow negatively impact his play with only a few days before the regular season begins. The Jets kick off their season Sunday afternoon at home against the Buffalo Bills.

Jets owner Woody Johnson says he doesn’t mind having Tim Tebow around. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is spending his week at the Republican National Convention in Tampa and the subject of football just happened to come up.

Johnson was asked by CNBC if he would like to see more Tebow or less Tebow and he replied, “I think you can never have too much Tebow,”according to ESPN.com.

Tebow, or anyone else on offense for that matter, has been nonexistent in the preseason. The Jets are the first team in 35 years not to score a touchdown in three preseason games. They also hope to break a 35 possession without reaching the end zone streak tonight in their preseason finale against the  Philadelphia Eagles.

“But I think it’s more than just that. It’s getting all the players … the offensive line and everything coordinated so you can establish a good running attack…and also have our receivers healthy and ready to participate and contribute to the effort,” Johnson said. “It’s a lot of timing and teamwork that we need.”