Tebow gets fresh start in Philadelphia

Just when football fans thought he was gone for good, quarterback Tim Tebow is returning to the NFL.

Various news sources announced that the Philadelphia Eagles would sign Tebow. The Eagles confirmed that they signed Tebow to a one-year contract, April 20.

A graduate from the University of Florida and a Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow was a first-round NFL draft pick in 2010 — No. 25 overall — and began his professional career with the Denver Broncos, playing nine games his first season. He found success in 2011 after he began the season as Kyle Orton’s backup and eventually moved ahead of him in the lineup. He completed 126 of 271 passes for 1,729 yards and 12 touchdowns, and led the Broncos to the playoffs..

Fans were not so much interested in Tebow’s actual numbers, but rather his running game, openness about his Christian faith and the last-minute miraculous plays.

Tebow’s career didn’t pick up after his second season in Denver. In 2012, he went to the New York Jets, playing back up behind Mark Sanchez, who he’ll join in Philadelphia. After the Jets, he signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots in 2013 and played in the first two preseason games and was later cut from the team. In the last few years, Tebow’s fame has allowed him to be a published author, documentaries have been made about him. Tebow also had a brief run as a college football analyst on the SEC Network.

Rumors of Tebow coming to Philadelphia began in March when he worked out with the team but the Eagles did not sign him at the time.

At Philadelphia, Tebow will find a similar opportunity as he had in the past, only he’ll be competing with more quarterbacks for playing time. In addition to Sanchez, Tebow joins Sam Bradford, Matt Barkley and G.J. Kinne in the Eagles’ clutch of quarterbacks with head coach Chip Kelly.

But how will Tebow fit in with the Eagles?

The starting quarterback position is a long shot for Tebow. Many believe Sanchez earned that spot after his performance in 2014 where he started as a backup for Nick Foles then replaced him as the starter halfway through the season. The Eagles re-signed Sanchez to a two-year contract in March.

Some speculate that Bradford, who the St. Louis Rams traded to Philadelphia for Foles, might be behind Sanchez. If he’s not in the first or second spot, Tebow could be a solid third-string, backing up Sanchez and Bradford — or whomever Kelly decides to put in the second spot.

While some critics question what Tebow will bring to the team, others are looking at the situation with a more positive outlook.

ESPN’s Skip Bayless wrote that Tebow would be a good fit for Philadelphia and Kelley will know — and want to utilize — the Heisman Trophy winner’s strengths.

“Tebow’s last NFL stop just might be the jumpstart his career needs,” Bayless wrote.

Tebow returning to the NFL is a nice feel-good, comeback story that will inspire fans — or draw in the critics who want to see him fail. But he’s also starting with Philadelphia with a clean slate. His accomplishments with the Broncos are a footnote and won’t mean anything when he puts on an Eagles jersey and helmet for the first time. If he wants to earn his keep with Philadelphia and continue his dream of being an NFL quarterback, he’s going to work for it.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].