Tim Tebow, who hasn't played an NFL regular season snap since 2012, has signed with the Denver Broncos. The team announced the surprise signing at a press conference Friday that just concluded. It's a three-year deal for Tebow, although the exact compensation was not announced.
"Without a doubt in my mind, this is the best decision for the Denver Broncos at this point in time," vice president of football operations John Elway said.
The Broncos were desperate for quarterback help after Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler left for the Houston Texans. The team traded for Mark Sanchez, who briefly played with Tebow when both were with the Philadelphia Eagles last preseason. The defending Super Bowl champions believe that the addition of Tebow is a critical one.
"The work's just beginning," Elway said "Obviously, the expectation level's gonna go up, but that's where we want it be, too. We have a lot of work to do as a football team. ... We're not selling tickets to [Houston, the site of Super Bowl LI] ... This guarantees nothing. It guarantees us the chance to work hard, and that's what we're gonna do."
As for Tebow, he's glad to be back with the franchise that drafted him. A first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Tebow posted a 7-4 record in 2011 and even won a playoff game.
"It's all been worth it," Tebow said. "The good stuff is usually worth the wait. You've just got to be patient ... I just have a passion to play football. When you do things different than other people sometimes do them, and you don't settle for just being average, you open yourself up [for criticism]. But I'm ready for it. I've learned to live with it. I never just wanted to do things the same way everybody else does."
Although Tebow hasn't played since the preseason, he's stayed in football shape and is ready to go. He's even continued to refine his throwing motion with the help QB guru Tom House. Tebow claims his once slow release is now above-league average and that he's ready to play.
"If I had to play (Sunday), I could," Tebow said. "I'm excited I can get back into routine."
Elway had plenty of praise for Tebow, both on and off-the-field.
"Tim Tebow's a great kid," Elway said. "If I want someone to marry my daughter, it's him."
The 28-year old Tebow will have every chance to win the starting job for the Broncos, although Elway did not guarantee him the starting role. Elway also did not rule out the possibility that the Broncos will add another QB this offseason.