ESPN: Tim Tebow to Jaguars a 'virtual certainty'

NY Jets make no secret that they plan to release quarterback at end of season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tim Tebow may be coming home.

The national media is starting to latch on to a story Channel 4 Sport Director Sam Kourvaris broke nearly 3 weeks ago.

On Dec. 3 Kouvaris said, ""Barring something unforeseen happening, Tim Tebow will be a Jaguar next year. If the Jets release him, the Jaguars will sign him. If not, they'll trade something like a 7th round pick for him."

Various online news sources are reporting the Jacksonville Jaguars will make a move to acquire Tebow in the off season. .

The first indication came Saturday night after ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Tebow to the Jaguars is "a virtual certainty."

Jaguars owner Shad Khan has said he wanted Tebow when the Denver Broncos were shopping him after the 2011 season, but heading into 2012, Jaguars team management was committed to making things work work with their 2011 first-round draft pick, Blaine Gabbert.

Gabbert continued to struggle in his second season and was put on Injured Reserve after hurting his shoulder in a game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 18. That's when talk surrounding the Jaguars quarterback competition began to heat up.

The Jets benched starting quarterback Mark Sanchez in Week 16 and promoted third-stringer, Greg McElroy, bypassing Tebow. Reports then surfaced that Tebow would ask to be traded or cut after the season.

Several online reports indicate the Jaguars will have an open quarterback competition in 2013.

ESPN, citing a source with the team, says it's a "high likelihood" Tebow will be part of the mix.

Fans who attended the Jaguars final home game of the season, a 23-16 loss to the New England Patriots, were overwhelmingly in favor of Tebow returning to his hometown.

"We just need to get Tebow. The Jets aren't using him. He's a winner," said Steve Mulligan.

Joey Ruliva seconded that thought.

"He's a champion! We need a champion! If they would have brought that man here this year they would have packed the stadium, regardless," Ruliva said.

But not everyone agrees that the former Heisman Trophy-winner is the right move for the Jaguars.

"I like him, but I don't think Tebow's the answer to our problems," Steve Castillo said.

If released, Tebow would be an unrestricted free agent.