tebow kaepernick
Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Images; Todd Kirkland/AP Images
  • Tim Tebow is getting a second shot in the NFL before Colin Kaepernick.
  • Tebow has not played in nine years, has never played tight end, and was a worse player than Kaepernick while in the NFL.
  • Some people noted the argument that Kaepernick would be a locker room distraction doesn't hold up for Tebow.
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The surprise NFL news of the day came as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars intend to sign Tim Tebow … as a tight end.

According to Rapoport, nothing is official, but it's expected that Tebow will reunite with Urban Meyer, his former coach at Florida, and the Jaguars' new head coach.

Tebow has not played an NFL game since 2012. And he has never played tight end.

As many pointed out, Tebow is getting a shot in the NFL, at a new position, after a long absence, before Colin Kaepernick.

Some noted that one common argument against Kaepernick – that the media coverage around him would be a distraction, especially if he were a backup – doesn't hold up with Tebow, who remains a celebrity in the sports world.

NFL Network's Judy Battista argued that Tebow's presence will "overshadow" the Jaguars' new era, which includes No. 1 draft pick Trevor Lawrence.

"If [Tebow] makes it to training camp, he's going to, to some degree, overshadow this new era with Trevor Lawrence," Battista said. "I think that's a real risk ... I do think you have to question how much of a shadow is he going to cast over the organization that is trying to start anew."

Some members of the NFL world also questioned the idea that Tebow would be a positive locker room presence, as he'll be given a second chance in the NFL without necessarily earning it through play.

Tebow went 8-6 as a starting quarterback in the NFL, completing 47.9% of his passes for 2,422 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He had a passer rating of 75.9.

He has since attempted to play professional baseball, making it to the New York Mets' Triple-A team in 2019. He announced his retirement from baseball in February of 2021.

Tebow has also worked at ESPN, covering college football.

Kaepernick, meanwhile, has been training for another shot in the NFL, though it doesn't appear as if he's had serious suitors since a league-coordinated audition in 2019 went sideways.

In 58 games as a starter, Kaepernick went 28-30, throwing for 12,271 yards, completing 59.8% of his passes for 72 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, and a passer rating of 88.9. He has not played since 2016.

In 2018, Kaepernick settled a collusion grievance with the NFL.

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